Turtle Beach: US Year 5
Students explore sea turtle conservation through immersive virtual world scenarios tied to California curriculum standards.
- Identify and name the seven species of sea turtles
- Compare physical characteristics such as shell shape, size, and colouration
- Explain why classification systems help scientists study biodiversity
- Use a dichotomous key to classify marine organisms
Duration: 2–3 lessons (45 min each)
Engagement Strategy: Virtual world exploration of the Turtle Beach exhibit, guided species discovery walk
- Access to Salty Sharks Turtle Beach virtual world
- Species identification worksheet
- Coloured pencils or markers
- Dichotomous key template
Driving Question
How can we create a field guide that helps beachgoers identify endangered sea turtles?
Project
Students design a pocket field guide featuring all seven sea turtle species with identification tips.
Curriculum Standard
NGSS 5-LS1-1: Support an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival.
Teacher's Role
- 1 Introduce the virtual world and demonstrate navigation
- 2 Facilitate discussion on classification criteria
- 3 Provide feedback on field guide accuracy
- 4 Encourage peer review between student groups
Student's Role
- 1 Explore the Turtle Beach exhibit and record observations
- 2 Research each species using exhibit information and NPC audio
- 3 Design and illustrate a field guide page for each species
- 4 Present the field guide to classmates
Assess student understanding of sea turtle classification through their field guide project.
- 1 Accuracy of species identification (all 7 species included)
- 2 Quality and detail of physical descriptions
- 3 Correct use of classification vocabulary
- 4 Visual presentation and clarity of illustrations
- 5 Peer review feedback incorporated
Research a newly discovered marine species and add it to your field guide using the same classification system.
- Identify and name the seven species of sea turtles
- Compare physical characteristics such as shell shape, size, and colouration
- Explain why classification systems help scientists study biodiversity
- Use a dichotomous key to classify marine organisms
Duration: 2–3 lessons (45 min each)
Engagement Strategy: Virtual world exploration of the Turtle Beach exhibit, guided species discovery walk
- Access to Salty Sharks Turtle Beach virtual world
- Species identification worksheet
- Coloured pencils or markers
- Dichotomous key template
Driving Question
How can we create a field guide that helps beachgoers identify endangered sea turtles?
Project
Students design a pocket field guide featuring all seven sea turtle species with identification tips.
Curriculum Standard
NGSS 5-LS1-1: Support an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival.
Teacher's Role
- 1 Introduce the virtual world and demonstrate navigation
- 2 Facilitate discussion on classification criteria
- 3 Provide feedback on field guide accuracy
- 4 Encourage peer review between student groups
Student's Role
- 1 Explore the Turtle Beach exhibit and record observations
- 2 Research each species using exhibit information and NPC audio
- 3 Design and illustrate a field guide page for each species
- 4 Present the field guide to classmates
Assess student understanding of sea turtle classification through their field guide project.
- 1 Accuracy of species identification (all 7 species included)
- 2 Quality and detail of physical descriptions
- 3 Correct use of classification vocabulary
- 4 Visual presentation and clarity of illustrations
- 5 Peer review feedback incorporated
Research a newly discovered marine species and add it to your field guide using the same classification system.
- Identify and name the seven species of sea turtles
- Compare physical characteristics such as shell shape, size, and colouration
- Explain why classification systems help scientists study biodiversity
- Use a dichotomous key to classify marine organisms
Duration: 2–3 lessons (45 min each)
Engagement Strategy: Virtual world exploration of the Turtle Beach exhibit, guided species discovery walk
- Access to Salty Sharks Turtle Beach virtual world
- Species identification worksheet
- Coloured pencils or markers
- Dichotomous key template
Driving Question
How can we create a field guide that helps beachgoers identify endangered sea turtles?
Project
Students design a pocket field guide featuring all seven sea turtle species with identification tips.
Curriculum Standard
NGSS 5-LS1-1: Support an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival.
Teacher's Role
- 1 Introduce the virtual world and demonstrate navigation
- 2 Facilitate discussion on classification criteria
- 3 Provide feedback on field guide accuracy
- 4 Encourage peer review between student groups
Student's Role
- 1 Explore the Turtle Beach exhibit and record observations
- 2 Research each species using exhibit information and NPC audio
- 3 Design and illustrate a field guide page for each species
- 4 Present the field guide to classmates
Assess student understanding of sea turtle classification through their field guide project.
- 1 Accuracy of species identification (all 7 species included)
- 2 Quality and detail of physical descriptions
- 3 Correct use of classification vocabulary
- 4 Visual presentation and clarity of illustrations
- 5 Peer review feedback incorporated
Research a newly discovered marine species and add it to your field guide using the same classification system.
- Identify and name the seven species of sea turtles
- Compare physical characteristics such as shell shape, size, and colouration
- Explain why classification systems help scientists study biodiversity
- Use a dichotomous key to classify marine organisms
Duration: 2–3 lessons (45 min each)
Engagement Strategy: Virtual world exploration of the Turtle Beach exhibit, guided species discovery walk
- Access to Salty Sharks Turtle Beach virtual world
- Species identification worksheet
- Coloured pencils or markers
- Dichotomous key template
Driving Question
How can we create a field guide that helps beachgoers identify endangered sea turtles?
Project
Students design a pocket field guide featuring all seven sea turtle species with identification tips.
Curriculum Standard
NGSS 5-LS1-1: Support an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival.
Teacher's Role
- 1 Introduce the virtual world and demonstrate navigation
- 2 Facilitate discussion on classification criteria
- 3 Provide feedback on field guide accuracy
- 4 Encourage peer review between student groups
Student's Role
- 1 Explore the Turtle Beach exhibit and record observations
- 2 Research each species using exhibit information and NPC audio
- 3 Design and illustrate a field guide page for each species
- 4 Present the field guide to classmates
Assess student understanding of sea turtle classification through their field guide project.
- 1 Accuracy of species identification (all 7 species included)
- 2 Quality and detail of physical descriptions
- 3 Correct use of classification vocabulary
- 4 Visual presentation and clarity of illustrations
- 5 Peer review feedback incorporated
Research a newly discovered marine species and add it to your field guide using the same classification system.
- Identify and name the seven species of sea turtles
- Compare physical characteristics such as shell shape, size, and colouration
- Explain why classification systems help scientists study biodiversity
- Use a dichotomous key to classify marine organisms
Duration: 2–3 lessons (45 min each)
Engagement Strategy: Virtual world exploration of the Turtle Beach exhibit, guided species discovery walk
- Access to Salty Sharks Turtle Beach virtual world
- Species identification worksheet
- Coloured pencils or markers
- Dichotomous key template
Driving Question
How can we create a field guide that helps beachgoers identify endangered sea turtles?
Project
Students design a pocket field guide featuring all seven sea turtle species with identification tips.
Curriculum Standard
NGSS 5-LS1-1: Support an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival.
Teacher's Role
- 1 Introduce the virtual world and demonstrate navigation
- 2 Facilitate discussion on classification criteria
- 3 Provide feedback on field guide accuracy
- 4 Encourage peer review between student groups
Student's Role
- 1 Explore the Turtle Beach exhibit and record observations
- 2 Research each species using exhibit information and NPC audio
- 3 Design and illustrate a field guide page for each species
- 4 Present the field guide to classmates
Assess student understanding of sea turtle classification through their field guide project.
- 1 Accuracy of species identification (all 7 species included)
- 2 Quality and detail of physical descriptions
- 3 Correct use of classification vocabulary
- 4 Visual presentation and clarity of illustrations
- 5 Peer review feedback incorporated
Research a newly discovered marine species and add it to your field guide using the same classification system.
- Identify and name the seven species of sea turtles
- Compare physical characteristics such as shell shape, size, and colouration
- Explain why classification systems help scientists study biodiversity
- Use a dichotomous key to classify marine organisms
Duration: 2–3 lessons (45 min each)
Engagement Strategy: Virtual world exploration of the Turtle Beach exhibit, guided species discovery walk
- Access to Salty Sharks Turtle Beach virtual world
- Species identification worksheet
- Coloured pencils or markers
- Dichotomous key template
Driving Question
How can we create a field guide that helps beachgoers identify endangered sea turtles?
Project
Students design a pocket field guide featuring all seven sea turtle species with identification tips.
Curriculum Standard
NGSS 5-LS1-1: Support an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival.
Teacher's Role
- 1 Introduce the virtual world and demonstrate navigation
- 2 Facilitate discussion on classification criteria
- 3 Provide feedback on field guide accuracy
- 4 Encourage peer review between student groups
Student's Role
- 1 Explore the Turtle Beach exhibit and record observations
- 2 Research each species using exhibit information and NPC audio
- 3 Design and illustrate a field guide page for each species
- 4 Present the field guide to classmates
Assess student understanding of sea turtle classification through their field guide project.
- 1 Accuracy of species identification (all 7 species included)
- 2 Quality and detail of physical descriptions
- 3 Correct use of classification vocabulary
- 4 Visual presentation and clarity of illustrations
- 5 Peer review feedback incorporated
Research a newly discovered marine species and add it to your field guide using the same classification system.
- Identify and name the seven species of sea turtles
- Compare physical characteristics such as shell shape, size, and colouration
- Explain why classification systems help scientists study biodiversity
- Use a dichotomous key to classify marine organisms
Duration: 2–3 lessons (45 min each)
Engagement Strategy: Virtual world exploration of the Turtle Beach exhibit, guided species discovery walk
- Access to Salty Sharks Turtle Beach virtual world
- Species identification worksheet
- Coloured pencils or markers
- Dichotomous key template
Driving Question
How can we create a field guide that helps beachgoers identify endangered sea turtles?
Project
Students design a pocket field guide featuring all seven sea turtle species with identification tips.
Curriculum Standard
NGSS 5-LS1-1: Support an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival.
Teacher's Role
- 1 Introduce the virtual world and demonstrate navigation
- 2 Facilitate discussion on classification criteria
- 3 Provide feedback on field guide accuracy
- 4 Encourage peer review between student groups
Student's Role
- 1 Explore the Turtle Beach exhibit and record observations
- 2 Research each species using exhibit information and NPC audio
- 3 Design and illustrate a field guide page for each species
- 4 Present the field guide to classmates
Assess student understanding of sea turtle classification through their field guide project.
- 1 Accuracy of species identification (all 7 species included)
- 2 Quality and detail of physical descriptions
- 3 Correct use of classification vocabulary
- 4 Visual presentation and clarity of illustrations
- 5 Peer review feedback incorporated
Research a newly discovered marine species and add it to your field guide using the same classification system.
- Identify and name the seven species of sea turtles
- Compare physical characteristics such as shell shape, size, and colouration
- Explain why classification systems help scientists study biodiversity
- Use a dichotomous key to classify marine organisms
Duration: 2–3 lessons (45 min each)
Engagement Strategy: Virtual world exploration of the Turtle Beach exhibit, guided species discovery walk
- Access to Salty Sharks Turtle Beach virtual world
- Species identification worksheet
- Coloured pencils or markers
- Dichotomous key template
Driving Question
How can we create a field guide that helps beachgoers identify endangered sea turtles?
Project
Students design a pocket field guide featuring all seven sea turtle species with identification tips.
Curriculum Standard
NGSS 5-LS1-1: Support an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival.
Teacher's Role
- 1 Introduce the virtual world and demonstrate navigation
- 2 Facilitate discussion on classification criteria
- 3 Provide feedback on field guide accuracy
- 4 Encourage peer review between student groups
Student's Role
- 1 Explore the Turtle Beach exhibit and record observations
- 2 Research each species using exhibit information and NPC audio
- 3 Design and illustrate a field guide page for each species
- 4 Present the field guide to classmates
Assess student understanding of sea turtle classification through their field guide project.
- 1 Accuracy of species identification (all 7 species included)
- 2 Quality and detail of physical descriptions
- 3 Correct use of classification vocabulary
- 4 Visual presentation and clarity of illustrations
- 5 Peer review feedback incorporated
Research a newly discovered marine species and add it to your field guide using the same classification system.