Ocean Pollution Solutions: A Grade 2 Project
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Ocean Pollution Solutions: A Grade 2 Project

Grade 2Environmental Science5 days
In this Grade 2 project, young environmental stewards investigate ocean pollution and its impact on marine life. Students explore pollution types, propose simple actions to reduce pollution, and collaborate on community solutions. Through observation logs, creative postcards, personal pledges, and action plans, they learn about the causes and effects of ocean pollution and how they can protect the ocean. The project fosters environmental stewardship and empowers students to make a difference.
Ocean PollutionMarine LifeEnvironmental StewardshipCommunity ActionPollution ReductionGrade 2Observation
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as young environmental stewards, protect our ocean from the harmful effects of pollution and ensure a healthy home for marine life?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What is ocean pollution and what causes it?
  • What are the different types of pollution found in the ocean?
  • How does ocean pollution affect marine life and ecosystems?
  • What are some simple actions we can take to reduce ocean pollution in our daily lives?
  • How can we work together as a community to protect the ocean from pollution?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to define ocean pollution and identify its causes.
  • Students will be able to describe the different types of pollution found in the ocean.
  • Students will be able to explain how ocean pollution affects marine life and ecosystems.
  • Students will be able to propose simple actions to reduce ocean pollution.
  • Students will be able to collaborate with the community to protect the ocean.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Ocean Pollution Mystery Box

Students receive a mystery box filled with items commonly found as ocean pollution. They must analyze the items and hypothesize their origins and impact on marine life, sparking curiosity about the sources and consequences of ocean pollution.

Create an Anti-Pollution Superhero

Students brainstorm and design a superhero whose mission is to protect the ocean from pollution. This activity encourages creative thinking about solutions and connects the issue to their interests in characters and storytelling.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

My Ocean Pollution Observation Log

Students begin by observing and documenting different types of pollution they see around them or learn about in class. This activity sets the stage for understanding real-world examples of pollution and its impact.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Go on a guided observation walk around the school or a nearby park, or view pictures/videos of ocean pollution.
2. Use a provided observation log sheet to draw and write about the different types of pollution observed (e.g., trash, plastic).
3. Discuss observations as a class, focusing on what was seen and potential sources of the pollution.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA completed observation log sheet with drawings and descriptions of different types of pollution.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to define ocean pollution and identify its causes.
Activity 2

Pollution Type Postcards

Students create postcards illustrating various types of ocean pollution and write a short message from the perspective of a marine animal affected by that pollution. This activity combines creative expression with learning about the effects of pollution.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Learn about different types of ocean pollution (e.g., plastic, oil spills, chemical runoff).
2. Choose a type of pollution to focus on for their postcard.
3. Draw a picture of the pollution type on the front of the postcard.
4. Write a short message on the back of the postcard from the perspective of a marine animal affected by the pollution.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA set of postcards illustrating different types of ocean pollution with messages from affected marine animals.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goals: Students will be able to describe the different types of pollution found in the ocean; Students will be able to explain how ocean pollution affects marine life and ecosystems.
Activity 3

My 'Ocean Protector' Pledge

Students brainstorm and commit to simple actions they can take in their daily lives to reduce ocean pollution. This activity encourages personal responsibility and empowers students to make a difference.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Brainstorm a list of simple actions that can reduce ocean pollution (e.g., recycling, reducing plastic use, picking up trash).
2. Choose 2-3 actions from the list to commit to.
3. Write and decorate a personal 'Ocean Protector' pledge, outlining the actions they will take.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA decorated 'Ocean Protector' pledge outlining specific actions to reduce ocean pollution.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to propose simple actions to reduce ocean pollution.
Activity 4

Community Action Plan Brainstorm

Students work together to brainstorm ideas for a community project that can help protect the ocean from pollution. This activity fosters collaboration and encourages students to think about broader solutions.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Discuss the concept of community and working together for a common goal.
2. In small groups, brainstorm ideas for a community project that could help reduce ocean pollution (e.g., a school cleanup, a recycling drive, creating educational posters).
3. Share ideas as a class and discuss the feasibility and potential impact of each project.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA list of potential community action projects to help protect the ocean from pollution.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to collaborate with the community to protect the ocean.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Ocean Pollution Stewardship

Category 1

Understanding Ocean Pollution

Assessment of student's comprehension of ocean pollution, its causes and types, as depicted in their observation logs and postcards.
Criterion 1

Identification of Pollution Types

Ability to identify and describe different types of ocean pollution based on observations and activity outputs.

Exemplary
4 Points

Identifies and accurately describes multiple types of ocean pollution with detailed illustrations and descriptions. Connects observations to real-world sources.

Proficient
3 Points

Accurately identifies and describes different types of ocean pollution with clear illustrations and descriptions.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies some types of ocean pollution but descriptions are incomplete or lacking detail.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify types of ocean pollution or provides minimal descriptions.

Criterion 2

Impact on Marine Life

Understanding of how ocean pollution affects marine life and ecosystems, expressed creatively through activity outputs.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates a deep understanding of pollution's effects on marine life with insightful creativity in messages from marine perspectives.

Proficient
3 Points

Consistently demonstrates understanding of pollution's effects on marine life, with creative expression.

Developing
2 Points

Shows basic awareness of pollution's effects but lacks depth or clarity in creative expression.

Beginning
1 Points

Minimal understanding of pollution’s impact on marine life, with limited creative input.

Category 2

Action and Solutions

Evaluation of student's ability to propose and commit to actions reducing ocean pollution and collaborate on community solutions.
Criterion 1

Proposing Solutions

Ability to brainstorm and articulate simple actionable solutions to decrease ocean pollution, individually or community-based.

Exemplary
4 Points

Proposes multiple innovative, feasible solutions and outlines clear and committed personal action plans.

Proficient
3 Points

Proposes clear and feasible solutions with a committed personal action plan.

Developing
2 Points

Suggests some solutions but lacks commitment or clarity in action plans.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to suggest solutions or action plans are vague.

Criterion 2

Community Collaboration

Assessment of student's collaborative efforts in developing a community action plan to protect the ocean.

Exemplary
4 Points

Actively engages and shows leadership in collaborative discussions, contributing innovative ideas to community action plans.

Proficient
3 Points

Effectively participates in group discussions, contributing feasible ideas to community action plans.

Developing
2 Points

Participates in group discussions but contributions lack depth or creativity.

Beginning
1 Points

Minimal participation or struggles to contribute ideas in group settings.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

How has your understanding of ocean pollution changed since the beginning of this project?

Text
Required
Question 2

What was the most surprising thing you learned about ocean pollution and its effects on marine life?

Text
Required
Question 3

Which activity (Observation Log, Postcards, Pledge, or Action Plan) helped you learn the most about ocean pollution? Why?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Observation Log
Postcards
Pledge
Action Plan
Question 4

On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident do you feel that you can make a positive impact on reducing ocean pollution?

Scale
Required
Question 5

What is one action you plan to continue doing to help protect the ocean from pollution?

Text
Required