Manatees

This curriculum provides a series of individual lessons covering manatee biology and ecology, as well as highlighting some of the ways that humans impact and can protect manatees. The curriculum has been written at a third grade level but can be adapted for older or younger students. Lessons are designed to take approximately one class period each (exceptions are noted in the lesson descriptions).

Lessons are listed in the suggested order; however, each one is a stand-alone lesson that could be taught independently of the others. It is suggested that teachers integrate these lessons into their regular curriculum, mostly in the fall semester, culminating with a field experience in the winter (December through February), if feasible, and a school manatee science night in the spring.

Reading & Instructional Materials

• Introduction to the Curriculum

Students will create a K-W-L chart and will learn about manatee biology by reading the book, Sam the Sea Cow.

Reading & Instructional Materials:

• Lesson 1: Starting to Learn about Manatees

Students will watch the Reading Rainbow program based on Sam the Sea Cow and will complete a worksheet.

Reading & Instructional Materials:

• Lesson 2: Reading Rainbow, “Sam the Sea Cow”
• Sam the Sea Cow Teacher’s Guide

Students will learn about what an adaptation means and how manatees are adapted to their aquatic environment.

Reading & Instructional Materials:

• Lesson 3: Manatee Adaptations
• Lesson 3 Powerpoint Presentation

Students will learn characteristics of mammals and will use observation skills to list similarities and differences between manatees and their close relative, elephants.

Reading & Instructional Materials:

• Lesson 4: Manatees Are Mammals; They Are Closely Related to Elephants

Students will learn about different species of Sirenians, and will use maps to locate where each species lives.

Reading & Instructional Materials:

• Lesson 5: Manatees and Their Cousins
• FWC Manatee Activity Book
  • Request printed copies of the activity book via the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission‘s website.

Students will attempt to hatch brine shrimp in water of different salinities to learn how changes in the environment affect survival of animals. This activity has three parts and will take approximately 2.5 class periods over a 1-week timeframe.

Reading & Instructional Materials:

• Lesson 6: What Do Animals Need to Survive?

Students will learn about plant biology, herbivory and what manatees eat. Students will realize that all plants are not the same and the manatee has some that it prefers.

Reading & Instructional Materials:

• Lesson 7: What Do Manatees Need to Survive?

Students use math skills to calculate manatee feeding needs.

Reading & Instructional Materials:

• Lesson 8: How Much Do Manatees Need to Eat?

Students will understand thermal refuges and manatee winter migrations. You may want to spread the components of this lesson over two class periods.

Reading & Instructional Materials:

• Lesson 9: Manatees Need Warm Water to Survive
• Lesson 9 Powerpoint Presentation
• Video: Making and Using a Blubber Glove (YouTube)

Students will learn that different activities create different amounts of pollution.

Reading & Instructional Materials:

• Lesson 10: How Students Impact Their Environment
• Lesson 10 Powerpoint Presentation

Students will learn what types of items are biodegradable and what types are not. This lesson requires two class periods about one week apart.

Reading & Instructional Materials:

• Lesson 11: Biodegradable or Not?

Students will learn about threats to manatee survival.

Reading & Instructional Materials:

• Lesson 12: Pollution and Other Threats to Manatees

Students will learn about factors that can affect manatees in their migration to find warm water in the fall and winter months. Students will work together to complete a successful manatee migration.

Reading & Instructional Materials:

• Lesson 13: Manatee Migration Activity

Students will use quizzes to test their knowledge about manatees.

Reading & Instructional Materials:

• Lesson 14: Reviewing What We Know about Manatees

Students will learn how scientists identify and track individual manatees.

Reading & Instructional Materials:

• Lesson 15: Collecting Data about Manatees

Students create podcasts/PSA’s/posters to teach others about ways to protect manatees. This may take 2 or more class periods.

Reading & Instructional Materials:

• Lesson 16: Sharing What We Know about Manatees

Students will complete a field study activity at Blue Spring State Park. Teachers should review the field data sheets with the class within a few days of the visit and should review and complete their KWL chart.

Note: During winter months, you can view manatees via live webcams at Blue Spring State Park. Archived videos are also available.

Reading & Instructional Materials:

• Lesson 17: Exploring the Manatee’s Habitat

Students and teachers will prepare for Manatee Night.

Reading & Instructional Materials:

• Lesson 18: Let’s Have a Manatee Science Night!

SaveTheManatee.org

• During winter months, view manatees at Blue Spring State Park and Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park via live webcams.
• Listen to the different sounds manatees emit underwater.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

• Florida Manatee Program