Activity: Observe videos about seal rescue, rehabilitation, and release back into the wild.  Sets the stage for the rest of the year by stimulating the idealistic and emotional parts of the the teenage mind.

Time: 20 minutes

Pre-Activity: Short explanation of the role of the Riverhead Foundation as a rescuer of seals and pursuer of environmental science.

Do Now: Write what you already know about seals (pre-assessment)

Major Assignment: Students simply pay attention, observe, and form a sense of compassion for our visting guests from the North, the write out questions that interest them about seals, and their environment.  Students are offered to play a role in saving the seals when they turn 18, that the class can adopt a seal during the year, and follow its progress in real-time.

Assessment: Since this assignment is more of an introduction to seals with the intention of instilling a sense of commitment to learn about and understand environmental science, the only assessment comes from measuring the level of participation in the students on the homework assignment, and their attention and performance during the year.

Processes, Skills, and Goals: Attention, Observation, Writing, and Emotional Commitment

Content: Five Videos- Injured Seal on the Shore, Moaning Seal in Rehab Tank, Photos of Hospital Set to Music, Release Photos Featuring People of All Ages and Riverhead Staff in Same Shirt as Speaker, Seal Jumps For Joy

Materials: Computer, Projector, Screen, Sound Speakers, Player, Videos, or Access to YouTube

Guiding Questions: 

What do you already know about seals?

Where do you think seals live?

How far would yuou have to travel?

What land animal is most like a seal?

Should we rescue them?  Why?

What questions do you have?

What questions would a scientist have?

How would they solve them?

Instructions:

Since this is a personal introduction from a Riverhead Foundation volunteer, there is a unique delivery of content.  In a generic case, a teacher would explain that human development has impacted wild animals, and continues to do so.  At the same time, people are part of the solution.  Discussion between videos leads students through the details of the story.The first video shows an injured seal in distress.  The second shows a seal close-up with moaning and coughing in misery.  The third video shows the tanks, hospital, and other seals in tanks.  The fourth set of photos show the release process, with a seal looking back with uncertainty, and then wading out into the water.  The fourth shows the joy of a healthy seal jumping.  The main point is that students can learn about and participate in the process of helping wildlife have the same experience.