Animal Anatomy - Marine Mammals
Grade 5-8

Dolphins. Otters. Whales. Seals. Manatees. Polar bears. These are just some of the marine mammals discussed in this course.
In this class, we will explore the large variety of marine mammals, the similarities and differences between them, and the specific anatomical structures that allow them to successfully live in the ocean. If time permits, the class will explore the evolutionary divergence from fish and how mammalian species returned to the water.

This course uses video to show marine mammals in their natural habitat but averages no more than 20 minutes per day. There are also slides used to answer many common questions students have about our mammalian relatives (for example, just how big is a blue whale? where on earth can I find a walrus in nature?). There is some class time devoted to hands-on activities, like coloring anatomical charts.