Imagine sailing on a ship in the ocean and glancing out towards the horizon when suddenly the largest animal on Earth rises up from the waters, shooting a spout of water several feet into the air. What is this gigantic marine mammal? How about the giant deep-sea squid that has arms which span 150 feet and can completely wrap around a large ship's hull. And then there is the anglerfish. It has a mouth full of teeth and lives 7 miles below the ocean's surface, a true sea monster. This fish carries its own fishing lure on top of its head.

These are only a few of the many fascinating marine animals that live in the oceans. Actually, the oceans provide habitats for more animals than anywhere else on Earth; in fact, 80% of all life on Earth lives in the ocean. The ocean has yet to give up all its secrets. Each day new marine animals are being discovered.

Creative Experiences in Science: Marine Life is designed to help students explore marine life in a creative way. Each story is followed by a vocabulary lesson, comprehension questions, and creative-thinking questions and activities. At the end of the book a research unit is included which provides information on how to lead students through the research process.

Using this book, students investigate the plants and animals that make their homes in the largest habitat on Earth: the oceans. The students' experiences with this information should encourage them to want to learn more about the mysterious plants and animals that live in and around the oceans.

Download the Table of Contents page here.

Grades 3–5.

The lessons and activities in this book align with the following Common Core State Standards*:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 3.7, 3.8, 3.10; RI.3.1; SL.3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2, 4.4, 4.5, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10; RI.5.1; SL.4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.2, 5.4. 5.5, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10; RI.5.1; SL.5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.6

Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.
Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide a list of sources.
Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of texts.
Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific context.
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

Conduct short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Summarize a written text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
Summarize the points a speaker makes and explain how each claim is supported by reasons and evidence.

Report on a topic or text or present an opinion, sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate facts and relevant,

*Authors: National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers
Title: Common Core State Standards English Language Arts
Publisher: National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers, Washington, D.C.
Copyright Date: 2010