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Sea Otter Teacher Resources
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Curriculum
Activity
California Standards
National Standards
What are the components of an ecosystem? Students assume the roles of different scientists while collecting data at an outdoor field site or aquarium.
- Grade 6: 1e, f; 2a, d; 4a; 5a, b, d; 7b, g, h
- Grade 7: 4a, c, f; 5a; 7a, c, d
- Grade 8: 2b; 8c, d
- Grades 9-12: Chemistry 2a, 4d, 5a, 5d; 7d, Biology 6b, 6d, Earth Sciences 5d, 5g, 6b, 8b, 9a, 9c, Investigation and Experimentation 1a-n
- 5-8: Science as Inquiry, Physical Science, History and Nature of Science
- 9-12: Science as Inquiry, Physical Science, Life Science
What makes sea otters and seals unique marine mammals? Students play a game with information cards to compare and review the characteristics of seals and otters.
- Grade K: 1a; 2a, b, c; 4a, b, d, e
- Grade 1: 2a, c; 4b, e
- Grade 2: 2a; 4c, d, g
- K-4: Science as Inquiry, Life Science
How does the size of your hand compare to the size of a book or desk? Students estimate the size of various
objects using non-standard measurement, such as a paper “hand” or piece of yarn.
- Grade K: 1a, 4a, 4d
- Grade 2: 4a, 4b, 4c, 4g
- PreK: Head Start Framework
- K-4: Science as Inquiry
What rhymes with sea star? Students make observations of ocean animals and habitats in Aquarium exhibits, on web
cams or in other nonfiction resources. The students then use their findings to write and illustrate poems.
- Grade K: 2a, b, c; 4a, b, e
- Grade 1: 2a, b, c, d; 4a, b
- Grade 2: 2a, b, c, d; 4d
- Grade 3: 3a, b, c, d; 5b
- Grade 4: 2b; 3a, b; 6a
- Grade 5: 2a, b, c, d; 6a
- PreK: Head Start Framework
- K-4: Science as Inquiry, Life Science
- 5-8: Science as Inquiry, Life Science
What do sea otters do all day? Students find out by reading about sea otters then creating a paper bag puppet to learn about sea otter behavior and body parts.
- Grade K: 1a; 2a, c; 4b,
c, e
- Grade 1: 2a, b, c; 4a, d
- Grade 2: 4d
- PreK: Head Start Framework
- K-4: Life Science, Science as Inquiry
See what's going on in the Aquarium's exhibits without leaving your
classroom! Our web cams are live daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific
time.
Learn more
Watch videos about our animals, exhibits and conservation research
programs or discover more about the ocean through our ocean science
podcast.
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Dive into our games and interactives to have fun and learn about ocean animals and the places they call home.
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Resource Links
On Our Website
Sea Otter Research and Conservation (SORAC) Program
The Aquarium's Sea Otter Research and Conservation program supports the federal recovery plan for California's southern sea otters. Take a closer look at what we're doing to help this threatened species.
Sea Searchers Handbook: Marine Mammals Chapter (PDF Format)
Information about sea otters and gray whales, their habitats and fun marine mammals activities to do as a family or in the classroom.
You'll find more educational resources in our Classroom Resources section.
External Links
Alaska Science Center-Biological Science Office
This organization plays a pivotal role in conducting research on Alaskan wildlife and their vast habitats. This site includes information on the status of the sea otter population in Alaska.
Defenders of Wildlife
This organization is dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities. This link takes you to their information on sea otter conservation and tells you how to adopt a sea otter.
Friends of the Sea Otter
For about 25 years, Friends of the Sea Otter has worked to protect the sea otter and its habitat from a wide range of threats. Their site includes video clips, membership information and updates on sea otter conservation issues.
Marine Mammal Center
The Marine Mammal Center rescues and rehabilitates marine mammals then releases them when healthy. Their site includes research and other information about sea otters as well as profiles of marine mammals they've rehabilitated.
Otter Project
Otter Project works toward the rapid recovery of the California sea otter by facilitating research and communicating research results to the public and to policymakers.
Otternet
This site has information about all 13 species of otters, including sea otters. Games and activities for kids and lots of otter links make it fun and educational.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This government agency protects sea otters under the federal Endangered Species Act. The site has information on threatened and endangered species as well as many aspects of wildlife conservation.
Western Ecological Research Center (U.S. Geological Survey)
The Center is the field research program for both the threatened California sea otter population and the state-listed Washington sea otter population. Current research focuses on population biology and behavior of California and Washington sea otters.
What's Killing California Sea Otters
This site, a joint project of the Sea Otter Alliance, the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sea otter Research and Conservation Program and several other organizations, presents the latest research and news about threats to California sea otters.
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