BACKGROUND:

Many groups of invertebrates have representatives that live in the oceans and on land. There are many invertebrates that live on land. Worms, insects, spiders, land snails, and many miscellaneous bugs are all land invertebrates. Shrimp, crabs, and clams are examples of marine invertebrates. Ask the students to describe the similarities and differences of each of the groups listed below. As they give their answers plot their data.

Organisms that live on land require mechanisms to make them mobile, in the ocean organisms can swim and float to find food. Imagine a seal on land getting food! A seal’s body is not meant to be on land. There are smaller organisms that live in the oceans who get nourishment just by assimilating the needed minerals directly into their body. For instance, a person must each foods that contain calcium and phosphorous for strong bones. Clams on the other hand, can just take calcium directly from the ocean water and use it almost directly into its shell.

Birds have developed a way to fly, while it is not necessary for marine organisms to fly. Trees on land group large, while you do not have large plants that live in the oceans.

PROCEDURE:

1. Provide the students with books and/or internet access. It is an important skill for students to research information. You as a teacher can never give them all the answers, but providing them with a vehicle to learn on their own is invaluable.
     
2. In this exercise students will see if they can find any differences. Have them look at the different books and magazines before they describe differences of invertebrates with some vision of what they look like.