Tidepool Ecology

OVERVIEW

General Description
Over three miles of beachfront borders the western edge of Crystal Cove State Park.  On certain areas of the beach where the ocean meets the rocky shore you can find an amazing ecosystem full of life.  This ecosystem is called the intertidal zone, or tidepools.  At low tide this world is exposed for visitors to see.

The tidepool unit of study provides three, one hour, in-class lessons to familiarize your students with key concepts concerning tidepools.  The third lesson is a live, interactive videoconference with Park Interpreters at the ocean's edge.  The Interpreter will talk directly to your students about the constant struggle that plants and animals in the tidepool face every day.

Academic Content Standards Subject Area: Science-Biology and Ecology

Grade Level: 4^th and 5^th (adaptable for other grades)

Primary Academic Content Standards:
4^th Grade: 2 a & b, 3 a& b
5^th Grade: 6 a

Time Required:
3 50 minute, in-class lessons
1 one hour videoconference lesson from Crystal Cove State Park
Options for extension activities are included

Objectives:
Through classroom lessons and participating in the videoconference, students will be able to: