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For my classroom, I would want to educate my students on marine biology. I would want my students to pick a marine life animal and design a presentation about that animal. This page about Sea Otters would be an example of an option that they could do for their presentations.

In the 1950's three new whale species were discovered, Waharoa ruwhenus, Tokarahia Kauaeroa, and Tokarahia Iophocephalus. Through the study of their fossils scientists have concluded that these three species of whales are part of a new family (species) of whale, Emysticetids. Emysticetids hold an important position on the evolutionary tree between primitive baleen whales and modern baleen whales. These marine creatures lived roughly 25-30 million years ago when the continent of New Zealand, Zealandia, was reduced to low islands and shallow seas. The article goes into great depth about these three new whale species. From their skeletal structure (elongated snout), size (adults were estimated to be 5-6 meters long), and even migratory patterns (continental shelf waters), it is all covered.

This article can be incorporated into a lesson about marine biology and evolutionary trees. It's a little too much for elementary students to grasp but I think it would be an interesting addition to a 6-8 or a 9-12 grade science classroom.

This is a website that contains twelve books all about oceans. They talk about sharks, marine mammals, crabs, seashells, fish, and much more. I enjoy this website because it lists the title of the book, the author, and a summary of what you will get from the book. In the classroom, I would have these out for the students to freely view while we talk about our oceans chapter. Some of the books would even be helpful as a teacher in order to teach a lesson and further the student's understanding.

Summary Why I chose this/what makes this an awesome resource How I might incorporate this resource in the classroom