A program of the Lawrence Hall of Science that seeks to increase ocean literacy through informal and formal education initiatives
Marine Activities, Resources & Education

Ocean Sciences Curriculum Sequences

Funded by NOAA, the Ocean Sciences Curriculum Sequences are in-depth, kit-based curriculum units, that deliver rich science content correlated to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), with an emphasis on the Practices of Science as called for in NGSS and the Framework for Science Education K–12, and significant overlap with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. The curriculum provides numerous opportunities for students to engage in investigations and make evidence-based explanations. They are designed in accordance with the latest research on learning and were classroom-tested by teachers across the United States in a wide variety of settings. Information about additional curriculum sequences can be found at http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/gems/CurriculumSequences.htm.

Interested in implementing the Curriculum? Purchase Teacher's Guides - Discovery Corner at Lawrence Hall of Science. Kit materials can be self-sourced using the downloadable materials list (see below). If you have questions, please contact: spedemonte@berkeley.edu 

Ocean Sciences Curriculum Sequence for Grades 3-5

ocean sciences sequence grade 3 to 5 curriculum jacket cover

Overview of Curriculum Read more about each thematic unit in this curriculum.

Curriculum Resources This page contains links to videos, computer simulations and lists of other recommended materials that support and suplement this curriculum.

image of OSS 3-5 sample leson

Curriculum Sampler (15.9 MB). Provides you with an in-depth introduction to this and other GEMS Sequences, a complete set of session summaries, and the Teachers Guide pages for one session of the curriculum.

Sample Lesson (20 MB). This document provides all the Teacher's Guide information and direction pages, as well as all the materials and resources needed to teach this lesson. In Session 2.7 An Open Ocean Food Web, students learn if one type of organism is removed from a habitat, many other organisms could be affected.

 

Cover of GEMS and NGSS alignment document

Alignments with NGSS
Find out how the curriculum aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards.

Professional Development Opportunities 
Contact us for more information on professional development opportunities.

 

 

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Ocean Sciences Curriculum Sequence for Grades 6-8: The Ocean–Atmosphere Connection and Climate Change

Introduction Guide Cover

Overview of Curriculum Read more about each thematic unit in this curriculum.

Interested in implementing the Curriculum? Purchase Teacher's Guides - Discovery Corner at Lawrence Hall of Science. Kit materials can be self-sourced using the downloadable materials list. If you have questions, please contact: spedemonte@berkeley.edu 

Curriculum Resources This page links to videos, computer simulations and lists of other recommended materials to support and suplement this curriculum. 

image of OSS 6-8 sample lessonCurriculum Sampler (15.9 MB). An in-depth introduction to this and other GEMS Sequences, a complete set of session summaries, and the Teachers Guide pages for one session of the curriculum.  

Sample Lesson (7.9 MB pdf). This document provides all the Teacher's Guide information and direction pages, as well as all the materials and resources needed to teach this lesson. In Session 2.7 Investigating Combustion and the Carbon Cycle, students learn that carbon moves between reservoirs, but the total amount of carbon on Earth doesn't change; and, human industry moves carbon out of fossil fuel and limestone reservoirs and into the atmosphere.

 

Cover of GEMS and NGSS alignment document

Correlations to the Next Generation Science Standards
Find out how the curriculum is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards.

Curriculum Assessment System 
Includes in depth description, purpose, and curriculum design.

Simulation Activities These simulation activities take the OSS 6-8: The Ocean–Atmosphere Connection and Climate Change computer simulations and present them as stand alone activities, independent of the curiculum.

Professional Development Opportunities
We offer a variety of professional development opportunities that support the implementation of this curriculum. Recently we offered a 2-day workshop focused on curriculum implementation (Slide set day 1, day 2), including the core science ideas, the approach to the science and engineering practices, and the inclusion of literacy that supports the science instruction. We also offer a 1-day workshop (slide set) focused on the latest understandings about supporting effective argumentation, using exemplars from this curriculum. Contact us for more information on professional development opportunities.

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