Healthy Beaches

1. Activate students’ prior knowledge.
Have a whole-class discussion about students’ experiences with the ocean and beaches. Ask:

• Have you ever been to a beach? If so, what was it like?
• Was the beach crowded or empty? How many people were there?
• How many buildings were there?
• What animals did you see?
• What plants did you see?

2. Have students compare and contrast photographs of beaches.
Show students the photos of beaches—two photos of national seashores and two of beach resorts. Ask:

• How are these the same?
• How are they different?
• Which one looks most like beaches you have been to?
• Which one looks most like a place where people would live or go on vacation?
• Which one looks like it would have the most animals?

3. Have students brainstorm how people living near the ocean affect ocean animals and plants.
Prompt students to think about how people affect the environment, including through trash, pollution, noise, fishing, too much light, too many buildings, and too many boats. Write students' ideas on the board.

Connections to National Standards

National Geography Standards

• Standard 14:  

How Human Actions Modify the Physical Environment

Background Information

Many people live near beaches. Others visit beaches for fun. All of these people have an effect on the health of the beaches—both on land and in the water.

Vocabulary