According to Wikipedia, 71% of the earth's surface is ocean. Do you suppose that is accurate . . . or do I need to check another source?
Maine certainly has a close connection with the Atlantic Ocean.
Question: How do we share and investigate the salt-water connections with our kids?
One Example: Bill Caddigan, Telstar Regional Middle School science teacher, was able to connect to his students in a very novel way last Spring through his Teacher at Sea adventure.
What other examples can we add here?
More Resources:
Ocean Resources
Oceanography Resources
Maine Teacher at Sea
Oceanography Search Using Custom Content-Specific Engine
I used to live down by the coast and found that the ocean was a great tool for dealing with stress. Now I am 6+ hours away from those beaches that helped me keep my sanity, helped me learn so much about nature and how it works, and helped my family enjoy trips into another world.
ReplyDeleteI am in a different world now and oceans don't really figure into my local geography. Sure I can see pictures of the ocean and long for it, but the effect of some of those incredible pictures is different than being there at the edge of the ocean. I have found one resource that helps to reconnect me to the ocean and I wonder if it might help those that are landlocked. There are many recordings, often mixed with new age music, on the web and in the market that share with people the sounds and feelings only the ocean can provide. Some would contend that sailors love the freedom and excitement of the open ocean, I would contend it is the effects the sounds have. In some ways the sounds of the ocean are like those you would hear of you put your ear to someone's chest or belly. You hear the pulse and you hear the life within our earth in it's consistency and rhythm. The ocean helps one connect with that big living organism we call Earth. That may seem too deep and strange to some, but I challenge those to do the following. Ideally find a pair of noise canceling headphones. Get a copy of "Visions of a new age" and listen to "Ocean Echoes". Lacking access to that, you can search for ocean sounds on the internet, but I did not find any recordings that were more than just a minute or so. Try to find something 5 min long or longer if you can. Put your headphones on and close your eyes. My contention is that after 5 minutes, many of the thoughts that were running through your busy heads slow down and may have dissolved into a peaceful, comfortable lull. Of course, if your near the ocean, just go out and sit yourself in the sand and close your eyes and let your stress melt away.
Are there any good free resources out there for Ocean sounds that last for more than just a few minutes?
One more thought. I sometimes think there are a list of generic places that all people should experience at some point in time in their life. By experience, I aim to spend a day at each of the following environments sucking up as much input as I can from the experience. I want the sights, sounds, and feelings to be recorded in my body so that I can better appreciate the diversity of the lands we all live in. I wonder if any virtual or digital resources are out there to help those not able to get to all of the below experiences.
Places I want to spend a day experiencing at some point in my life:
1. Ocean beach with moderate waves
2. Ocean beach with huge waves
3. Top of a major mountain range on a clear day.
4. Top of a major mountain range on a miserable weather day.
5. Center of a major city (NY, LA...)
6. Underwater- maybe in a sub, but an entire day scuba diving may work : )
7. Jungle- untouched by "society". Worried the bugs would drive me nuts but still want to experience it.
8. Desert - With so much of the world having water you have to experience a total lack just to keep a balance.
Our Ocean cultures and geography are special here in Maine and at the very least our students should be aware of what a great resource our coasts provide. I applaud and support the efforts of those teachers and adults that help to bring the wonders of our coast into the classroom!