Pinnipeds: Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses

Day 1

Topic Introduction to Pinnepeds

Objectives/ I can ...
Identify the characteristics of Pinnepeds

State Goals
12.A.1a Identify and describe the component parts of living things and their major functions.
12.A.1b Categorize living organisms using a variety of observable features.

Classwork-Homework
On the Board
Vocabulary
blubber: a layer of fat between the skin and muscle of most marine mammals
colony: a group of organisms of the same kind living together
ecosystem: a unit of plants, animals, and nonliving components of an environment that interact
endangered: in danger of becoming extinct
flippers: broad, flat limbs supported by bones and adapted for swimming
food chain: a diagram showing the transfer of energy via “who eats whom” in an ecosystem
habitat: the normal, usual, or natural place where a plant or animal lives
haul out: to leave the water to get on land
herd: a group of certain large animals that associate together
marine mammal: a mammal adapted to live in the marine environment and dependent on the ocean for food. molt: n. The shed exoskeleton, hair, feathers, or skin of an animal
v. To shed the exoskeleton or the outer layer of hair, feathers, or skin
Pinnipedia: the scientific order that includes seals, sea lions, and walruses.
predator: an animal that eats other animals
prey: n. an animal eaten by another animal
v. to hunt and eat other animals
pup: the young of certain animals such as seals, sea lions, and otters
threatened: likely to be in danger of becoming extinct
vibrissae: stiff, tactile whiskers on the face of certain mammals

Pinnipeds

Pinneped Characteristics Use Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses page 3-5

Assessment

Resources

Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses

Day 2

Topic Draw a Sea Lion

Objectives/ I can ...
Draw a sea lion.
Identify adaptations that help Pinnipeds to survive in the ocean.

State Goals
12.A.1a Identify and describe the component parts of living things and their major functions.
12.A.1b Categorize living organisms using a variety of observable features.

Classwork-Homework
Pinneped Adaptations
• pointed teeth to capture prey
• vibrissae (whiskers) to explore surroundings and detect prey
• a mucous tear to protect eyes from sea water and sunlight
• blubber for insulation, streamlining, and a reserve energy source
• fur as a body covering
• pectoral flippers for swimming and walking on land
• hind flippers for steering in the water and walking on land

Draw a Sea Lion
Use Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses page 9

Assessment

Resources

Day 3

Topic Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses

Objectives/ I can ...
Identify six members of the order Pinnipedia.
Use math skills to organize, analyze, and interpret the results from a research project tracking elephant seals.

State Goals
12.A.1a Identify and describe the component parts of living things and their major functions.
12.A.1b Categorize living organisms using a variety of observable features.

Classwork-Homework
Create a reference booklet about Pinnepeds
Use Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses pages 6 and 7

Seals In Depth Use Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses pages 10-11
Determine Dive Depth, Dive Time, and Surface Time

Assessment

Resources

Day 4

Topic Seal Food: Squids

Objectives/ I can ...
Identify the squid’s external anatomy and internal body parts.

State Goals
12.A.1a Identify and describe the component parts of living things and their major functions.
12.A.1b Categorize living organisms using a variety of observable features.

Classwork-Homework
Just Squidding Around
Use Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses pages 14-15

Assessment

Resources

Day 5

Topic Seal Food

Objectives/ I can ...
Investigate the interrelationships of predator and prey and the diversity of food items in the sea.

State Goals
12.A.1a Identify and describe the component parts of living things and their major functions.
12.A.1b Categorize living organisms using a variety of observable features.

Classwork-Homework

Sharing the Sea Create an ocean food chart for Seals and humans.
Use Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses pages 16-17

Assessment

Resources

Day 6

Topic Longitude and Latitude

Objectives/ I can ...
Find locations on a map or globe by using longitude and latitude coordinates.

State Goals
12.A.1a Identify and describe the component parts of living things and their major functions.
12.A.1b Categorize living organisms using a variety of observable features.

Classwork-Homework
Polar Passport Use Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses pages 18-19

Assessment

Resources

Day 7

Topic Mammal Milk

Objectives/ I can ...
Investigate the nutritional composition of cow milk and pinniped milk.
Create charts showing the amount of fat, protein, sugar, and water in cow and pinniped milk.

State Goals

Classwork-Homework

Nutritional Content of Milk

Kind of Mammal	% Fat In Milk	% Protein In Milk
Cow	3.5	3.1
Goat	3.5	3.1
Human	4.5	1.1
Camel	4.9	3.7
Sheep	5.3	5.5
Water buffalo	10.4	5.5
Reindeer	22.5	10.3
Whale	35.0	13.0