Menhaden: A Keystone Species in the Bay

Engagement

Objectives

1.  Students will watch the following video clips to make observations about menhaden feeding behavior and the menhaden fishery.    

2.  Introduce the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning method to students.

Lesson Materials

Video clips listed below.

Pencil and paper

Procedures

1. Menhaden swimming and feeding. PEW Charitable Trust,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUdiOeDdz8Q

2. Purse seining for menhaden on the Hush Puppy

http://www.chesapeakequarterly.net/V10N23/side1/

      3. After watching the video clips have students write down their observations either individually or in small groups.

4.  Introduce Claim-Evidence-Reasoning method to students through the following video, http://www.edutopia.org/blog/science-inquiry-claim-evidence-reasoning-eric-brunsell

The video "My Dad's an Alien" commercial

Formative Assessment   What are the possible connections between menhaden and stress on the Chesapeake Bay and marine food chain?  Brainstorm some ideas in small group discussion and then share these with the class.  Begin to use CER in group discussions as a format for developing ideas.

References

For more information download the Content Primer