This lesson plan is for a 4th grade science class trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. After exploring the aquarium, students will select a species and write a research paper, create a poster, or PowerPoint comparing and contrasting that species' natural habitat to its artificial habitat at the aquarium. The lesson aims to teach students about ecosystems, living and nonliving components, and physical and human characteristics of places, as outlined by relevant science and geography standards for 4th grade.

1. Lesson Plan for Student Study Trip
Alma Vaca Ramirez Grade 4/Science
Teacher Grade/Subject/Course Title
Name of Administrator Administrator’s Signature
Monterey Bay Aquarium Thursday, March 19
Name of Trip Date of Trip
After exploring all the species at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the students will
select a species of their choice and write a Comparing/Contrasting Research Paper
on the natural habitant versus the artificial habitant of their species
OR
Poster comparing/contrasting habitants
Power Point comparing/contrasting habitants
A Model comparing/contrasting habitants
I. Core Curriculum Content Standards Indicator/s:
5.1 Scientific Processes All students will develop problem-solving, decision-making and
inquiry skills, reflected by formulating usable questions and hypotheses, planning
experiments, conducting systematic observations, interpreting and analyzing data, drawing
conclusions, and communicating results.
Standards Grade 4
4LS3. Living organisms depend on one another and on their environment for
survival. As a basis for understanding this concept:
4LS3.a. Students know ecosystems can be characterized by their living and nonliving
components.
By the end of Grade 4, students will:
The National Geography Standards
Places and Regions
4. The physical and human characteristics of places.
The National Geography Standards