Hawaiʻi's Rocky Shores

A Hands-on Guide to Hawaiʻi’s rocky shores

Grade Level: First Grade

Purpose: This curriculum is designed to communicate:

• How the intertidal zones of Hawaiʻi are physically and biologically structured.
• How we use science to study the animals of the intertidal zones habitat and the relationship between them.
• How the rocky shore is culturally important for Hawaiʻi.

Rationale: In this unit, we introduce students to the rocky intertidal zones, as an important coastal resource for Hawaiʻi, both biologically and culturally. Through hands-on activities, live-specimen observations, and discussion sessions, students learn the physical properties, an overview of the flora-fauna, and the cultural uses of rocky intertidal zones. By studying this ecosystem in detail through the inquiry process, students will be encouraged to construct questions and solutions that promote conservation goals of the rocky shore.

Downloadable Lessons

• Unit Overview
• Lesson One: What is the Rocky Shore?
• Lesson Two: Intertidal Zones
• Lesson Three: Hidden Animals
• Lesson Four: Create a Hawaiian Tako Lure
• Lesson Five: Critters in the Classroom
• Lessons Six and Seven: Rocky Shore Food Web
• Lessons Six and Seven: Rock Shore Drama Scenes

This unit was created and piloted by Jackie Gaudioso, Bobby Hsu & Diane Duke