Plankton is the most important part of the food web in the marine Polar ice biome. All life depends on the abundance of this floating biomass in the ocean.
Check out the Zooplankton newsletter and free reading cards at montessorimom.com
Tag Archives: Montessori
Plankton to the Rescue
Phytoplankton, or micro algae, usually blooms only once a year in the Arctic. Now it is blooming in the fall too. Phytoplankton is plant based and uses carbon dioxide in its photosynthesis. The Antarctic South Sea is also absorbing more carbon dioxide than previously thought. According to NASA, carbon dioxide is a moving, long term force in climate change. This new information about the Polar regions absorbing more carbon dioxide brings a new element in the challenges of climate change.
Read more at Live Science
Oceans and the Water Cycle
Oceans are an important part of the water cycle. It affects the weather and moisture in the earth’s atmosphere.
Snowfall affects the water cycle where I live. If we don’t have a good snow pack in the mountains we have a short supply of water for cities and farms. Melting snow fills rivers and reservoirs that provide water for us.
Here is a printout and little lesson about our wonderful water cycle.
Ocean Waves
Summer is a great time of the year to watch the constant waves of the ocean. Here is a printout at montessorimom.com of a quick lesson about waves with reading cards.
Whales
Some whales travel long distances to feed on the abundant plankton ,fish and mammals in the Polar ice biomes.
Their voyage is incredible. Check out the free whale newsletter and cards at montessorimom.com.
Fish Reading Cards Printout
Fish are found in oceans, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and even aquariums.
Check out the free nomenclature printout at montessorimom.com
Free Moon Reading Cards
Anytime is a great time to observe the phases of the moon. Here are some free Montessori reading cards of the moon phases.
Kids Summer Fun with Land and Water Cards
Whether traveling this summer or staying home a fun activity to do with your children is to study land and water forms. Use these free land cards to identify land and water forms. Check it out at montessorimom.com.
Hermit Crab Printout and Care
Sea snail shells that are empty are used by hermit crabs.
My children loved hermit crabs. We had at least eight of them. They provided hours of fun just watching them socialize with each other.
This site provides a great basic care guide at hermit-crabs.com
Here are some nomenclature cards to printout about hermit crabs at montessorimom.com
Beachcombing Sea Glass
It’s fun to collect treasures from the beach. One of my favorites is collecting sea glass, sometimes called beach or ocean glass. Some define beach glass as clear glass found in fresh water. Ocean or sea glass from salt water tends to be more frosted.
Beachcombing for sea glass can provide hours of educational fun. Keeping a map of where you find your sea glass can give you clues about your treasures. The glazing and roundness of the glass can give insight about the length of time the glass has been sanded and smoothed in the water.
Sea or beach glass can be found in many waterways. Fresh or salt water provide these glass treasures.
Find out more at montessorimom.com