The following lesson plans were designed by the University of Oregon’s 2008 ELP Marine Team. “Intertidal Investigations” is a lesson plan that guides teachers through activities based on the the rocky intertidal ecosystem. Through inquiry learning and hands-on activities, students will gain a better understanding of plants and animals of different tide zones and the adaptations they have for tidepool living. Throughout the activities there are questions, which are based around building hypotheses about the effects of global climate change on these habitats. Facilitators are welcome to follow the entire lesson plan or adapt as needed depending on your specific field trip goals. Even though these tidepool activities were designed for Cape Arago, they can be used at any rocky intertidal habitat of the Pacific Northwest coast.

Use the “Stories of the Tides” to enrich yourself about the organisms found in the tidepools as well as recommended readings on the resources page. Don’t be afraid to get wet!

intertidal-investigations.pdf This activity introduces students to the intertidal habitats of rocky shores while safely exploring tidepools. Using guided inquiry and structured group investigation, students will observe species of plants and animals found in the intertidal and formulate hypothesis about global climate change effects on the intertidal.

stories.of.the.tides.pdf Often times, field guides are great for identifying unknown intertidal plants and animals. However, interesting stories about these organisms are left out. This document is a compilation of information comes from stories shared verbally by our team and in written text. These stories are great to tell during guided inquiry and even in the classroom before a field trip to the tidepools. Knowing the information or having it handy to share with students will make the tidepools come alive!

into.the.intertidal.pdf This sheet is set up to make either drawing or writting about intertidal creatures fun! Use with the “Intertidal Investigations” lesson plan in Activity 2. “Guided Inquiry” or as a fun way to record observations anytime.

helpfu-hints.for.tidepool.organisms.pdf These sheets were designed to use in Activity 3. “Adaptation Investigators” group activity. They can also be easily used in other tidepool exploration activities as guides to specific animals. Laminating the sheets is a good way to use them in wet weather and wet tidepool conditions.

adaptation.investigators.pdf Worksheet for Activity 3. “Adaptations Investigators”

one.on.one.with.the_tidepools..pdf Worksheet for Activity 4. “One on One with the Tidepools”

intertidal.investigations.worksheet.pdf Worksheet for Activity 7. “Climate Change Investigation”.