Common Sense Oceans

Common Sense Science Oceans introduces budding marine biologists to oceanography—from planet Earth and the water cycle to saltwater and the ocean floor, ocean layers, tides and waves, and coral reefs and ocean life. Organized into 18 weeks of science at a pace of three days per week, the Book includes an introduction to the program and teaching through a multilevel approach, the lessons with vocabulary and teaching information, and the lab and activity instructions. Parents/teachers are encouraged to include topical library books, videos, or supplemental teaching tools from the internet to enrich student learning. The hands-on labs are easy to do at home and require household items. To help students conceptualize, analyze, review, and apply the knowledge gleaned, the lessons each have at least one activity which involves the construction of 3D Graphic Organizers, a sort of cut-and-create method to create individual booklets. Graphic Organizer templates are found in the Student Material Packet. Additionally, students will need index cards, pencils, scissors, glue, colored pencils or crayons, letter-size manila file folders (or 12” x 18” cardstock), multi-color 8.5” x 11” paper, and a large ziplock bag. If you are looking for a program where students are spoon-fed information from a textbook and the teacher needs little preparation time, look elsewhere; this is the essence of a hands-on program. For those who learn best by doing, this approach is well worth considering. Required for the semester, the Oceans Book and companion Student Material Packet are available individually or together in a package. Families preferring a digital format may want to consider the Oceans e-Book and Oceans Student Materials e-Book.