KS1 Topic:Oceans and Seas Block C: Pacific Underwater World

Learn about the fascinating underwater world of the Pacific Ocean and the Great Barrier Reef. Make maps and create diagrams of food chains, role-play an underwater expedition, make short documentaries about researched creatures. Finally use colour-wash and 3D sculpture techniques to create a Great Barrier Reef display.

Block C: Pacific Underwater World(4 sessions) / Main outcome: Geography
Other outcomes: Science, EnglishandArt
By the end of this block you will have achieved the following outcomes: /
  • Develop knowledge about diverse places, resources and natural and human environments.
  • Develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places, both terrestrial and marine.
  • Interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, globes and aerial photographs.
  • Name and locate the world’s 7 continents and 5 oceans.
  • Use basic geographical vocabulary to refer to key physical features, includingsea, ocean and weather.
  • Identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants, and how they depend on each other.
  • Identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including micro-habitats.
  • Describe how animals obtain their food from plants and other animals, using the idea of a simple food chain, and identify and name different sources of food.
  • Choose relevant information to create a non-fiction non-chronological report.
  • Adopt, create and sustain a range of roles, responding appropriately to others in role.
  • Become more familiar with and confident in using language in a variety of situations and for a variety of role play situations.
  • Use a range of materials creatively to design and make products.
  • Use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination.
  • Develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space.

Session 1: Geography/Computing
Where is the Pacific Ocean?
Research information about the Pacific Ocean and create simple maps. / Children will
  • Make comparisons between oceans and seas, depending on their location.
  • Understand reasons one ocean might be different from another.
  • Explore the location of the Pacific Ocean and fact-find information about it.
  • Create simple maps of the Pacific Ocean.
  • Use the internet to find information on a given task.

Session 2:Geography/Science
What Lives in the Pacific Ocean?
Explore the habitats specific to the Pacific Ocean and the Great Barrier Reef; Create food chains of the creatures living within the reef. / Children will
  • Investigate the habitats of the Pacific Ocean and consider similarities and differences between this and the Atlantic.
  • Explore habitats specific to the Great Barrier Reef.
  • Investigate food chains of creatures living within the reef.
  • Create diagrams showing food chains.

Session 3: Geography/ English/Science
The Great Barrier Reef Safari
Role-play an underwater expedition to the Great Barrier Reef; Research a creature you might find there and then create a short documentary about it. / Children will
  • Investigate the delicate nature of natural environments in the Great Barrier Reef.
  • Gain an understanding of the instability of the coral and it environment.
  • Explore habitats and the adaptations of animals and plants to this location.
  • Role-play a report giving information on the Pacific Ocean.

Session 4: Geography/Art
The Great Barrier Reef Comes to Life!
Use colour-wash and 3D sculpture techniques to create a Great Barrier Reef display. / Children will
  • Use images of the Great Barrier Reef to develop afurther understanding of this environment.
  • Use colour-wash techniques to create a backdrop for the Great Barrier Reef display.
  • Use art and design techniques to create 3D models of fish and coral.

Resources

Session 1

Provided: Pacific Outline Map; Pacific Aerial Photograph.

You will need: Globe; Sticky notes; Atlases; Tablets/computer.

Session 2

Provided: Presentation: Marine Food Chains; Pacific Food Chain Images; Pacific Ocean Food Chain Template; Example Pacific Ocean Food Chain.

You will need: Scissors; Glue.

Session 3

Provided: Presentation: The Great Barrier Reef; 12 Pacific Search cards; What We Found in the Great Barrier Reef.

You will need: Tablets/computers/reference books; Video camera/tablet/ smartphone.

Session 4

Provided: Presentation: Colour and Seascapes; Amazing Coral; Fantastic Fish Templates; Fantastic Fish

You will need: Reference books/computers/tablets; A3 sugar paper; Watercolour paint; Brushes; Pipe.cleaners; Scissors; Acrylic/poster paint; Wire and pliers (optional); Air-drying clay; Rolling pin; Plastic modelling tools; A camera.

Useful websites for background information:

The Pacific Ocean

Video clip: 5 Facts about the Pacific Ocean

Video clip: Life in the Pacific Ocean

Video clip: David Attenborough on sharks in the Pacific

Audio clip: Underwater sound effects

Ocean food chains

Booklet on oceanic food chains

Video clip: The Ocean Food Chain

The Great Barrier Reef

Video clip: Exploring the Great Barrier Reef

Documentary: Monty Halls on the Great Barrier Reef

Documentary: The Great Barrier Reef and its nearby land habitats

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