Teacher Booklets

Pre-K–K Booklets

Chesapeake Bay Theme Day
The Chesapeake Bay Theme Day teacher booklet provides activities that will allow students to become familiar with several animals that are found in the Chesapeake Bay area and will help prepare students for the material that will be taught during the Aquarium program.

» Download:  Grades K-2  (PDF)

Hermit Crab and Whelk Animal Interview
The Hermit Crab and Whelk Animal Interview teacher booklet provides background information for the teachers on marine animals. It also includes coloring sheets, games, and other activities to teach children about the animals they will see on a visit to the Aquarium. Complements the Hermit Crab and Whelk Animal Interview program at the Aquarium.

» Download:  Grades Pre-K and K  (PDF)

Horseshoe Crab Animal Interview
The Horseshoe Crab Animal Interview teacher booklet for grades Pre-K– Kindergarten introduces students to the horseshoe crab. Group and individual activities engage students and prepare them for the Aquarium classroom program. Follow-up activities reinforce what students have learned and allow for fun and creativity. Students will use observation and listening skills while learning about the horseshoe crab. Complements the Horseshoe Crab Animal Interview Aquarium classroom program.

» Download:  Grades Pre-K and K  (PDF)

Ocean Theme Day
Learn about sharks and other ocean animals including whales and marine invertebrates. The booklet contains pre- and post-program activities for teachers that complement the Ocean Theme Day Traveling Outreach Program.

» Download:  Grades K-2  (PDF)

Rainforest Theme Day
Investigate plant and animal interactions and adaptations necessary for survival in the South American Rain Forest. The booklet contains pre- and post-program activities for teachers that complement the Rainforest Theme Day Traveling Outreach Program.

» Download:  Grades K-2  (PDF)

Slither, Slide, Creep, and Crawl
The Slither, Slide, Creep, and Crawl teacher booklet introduces young children to ocean animals. Contains several fun activities for younger students. Complements the Slither, Slide, Creep, and Crawl Traveling Outreach program at your school.

» Download:  Grades Pre-K and K  (PDF)

Teacher's Curriculum Guide
The Teacher's Curriculum Guide provides an overview of the Aquarium's exhibits. This booklet prepares you and your chaperones for a successful and educational field trip. The guide is filled with information about the various animals and the various habitats in which they live. The guide also contains the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum standards for grades Pre-K–12 as they correlate to the Aquarium field trip experience.

» Download:  Grades Pre-K-12  (PDF)

Watershed Moments
Everyone lives within a watershed, but what, exactly, does that mean? The answer can be found within the Watershed Moments teacher booklet, which provides an overview of life in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Graph the changes in hellbender populations to discover how this animal is affected by changes within the watershed. Learn about bayscaping and how you can become a Watershed Hero. This booklet contains pre- and post-visit activities for teachers that complement the Watershed Moments auditorium presentation at the National Aquarium.

» Download:  All Grades  (PDF)

Elementary School Booklets (Grades 1–5)

Adaptations
The Adaptations teacher booklet will excite and engage your students in learning about how animals are adapted to living in water. The booklet contains information to help you plan and prepare for the Adaptations Traveling Outreach Program in your classroom.

» Download:  Grades 2-4  (PDF)

Australian Animal Interview
The Australian Animal Interview teacher booklet contains information about Australian reptiles, birds, and marsupials. Coloring sheets and pre- and post-visit activities engage students in learning about these animals. This booklet complements the Australian Animal Interview program.

» Download:  Grades 1-2  (PDF)

Boneless Bunch
The Boneless Bunch teacher booklet introduces students to the fascinating world of marine invertebrates, animals without backbones. Group and individual activities encourage students to compare and contrast animals, and to use language arts and observation skills. Complements the Boneless Bunch Aquarium classroom program.

» Download:  Grades 1-3  (PDF)

Chesapeake Bay Explorations
The Chesapeake Bay Explorations teacher booklet for grades 4–6 is a great introduction to one of the key species living in the Chesapeake Bay: the oyster. Students learn how oysters help keep the bay clean and investigate some solutions to the precipitous drop in oyster populations in recent years. Complements the Chesapeake Bay Explorations Aquarium classroom program.

» Download:  Grades 4-6  (PDF)

Chesapeake Bay Theme Day
The Chesapeake Bay Theme Day teacher booklet provides activities that will allow students to become familiar with several animals that are found in the Chesapeake Bay area and will help prepare students for the material that will be taught during the Aquarium program.

» Download:  Grades K-2  (PDF)
» Download:  Grades 3-4  (PDF)
» Download:  Grades 5-6  (PDF)

Coral Reefs
Coral reefs provide beautiful habitats for marine animals, but few people realize that coral itself is actually an animal. Find out how a coral eats, grows, and is affected by pollution in the Coral Reefs teacher booklet. Examine real-time scientific data and play Coral Reef Survivor to learn how you can protect tropical corals. The Atlantic Coral Reef activity guides students through the National Aquarium’s reef exhibit in search of different coral species and fish behaviors. These pre- and post-visit activities serve as a complement to the Coral Reefs program at the National Aquarium.

» Download:  Grades 5-8  (PDF)

Life in the Tropical Rain Forest
Life in the Tropical Rain Forest will engage students as they utilize props to create a rain forest in their own classroom. Students will explore four stations with artifacts and live animals relating to the rain forest.

» Download:  Grades 2-4  (PDF)

Ocean Theme Day
Learn about sharks and other ocean animals including whales and marine invertebrates. The booklet contains pre- and post-program activities for teachers that complement the Ocean Theme Day Traveling Outreach Program.

» Download:  Grades K-2  (PDF)
» Download:  Grades 3-4  (PDF)
» Download:  Grades 5-6  (PDF)

Rainforest Theme Day
Investigate plant and animal interactions and adaptations necessary for survival in the South American Rain Forest. The booklet contains pre- and post-visit activities for teachers that complement the Rainforest Theme Day Traveling Outreach Program.

» Download:  Grades K-2  (PDF)
» Download:  Grades 3-4  (PDF)
» Download:  Grades 5-6  (PDF)

Salinity Lab
The mixing of fresh and salt water contributes to the biological productivity found in the Chesapeake Bay. In this program, students use math skills and scientific equipment to make their own brackish water of a certain salinity. Complements the Salinity Lab Traveling Outreach Program at your school.

» Download:  Grades 3-5  (PDF)

Shark Auditorium Presentation
The Shark Auditorium teacher booklet prepares students and teachers for the presentation in the Aquarium's auditorium on sharks. The goal of the presentation is to dispel common misconceptions as you discover the characteristics that have helped sharks survive for millions of years.

» Download:  Grades 3-5  (PDF)

Student Activity Guide
Student Activity Guides provide pre- and post-visit activities plus activities to use while at the Aquarium. All the activities are correlated to the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum.

» Download:  Grades 3-5  (PDF)

Teacher's Curriculum Guide
The Teacher's Curriculum Guide provides an overview of the Aquarium's exhibits. This booklet prepares you and your chaperones for a successful and educational field trip. The guide is filled with information about the various animals and the various habitats in which they live. The guide also contains the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum standards for grades Pre-K–12 as they correlate to the Aquarium field trip experience.

» Download:  Grades Pre-K-12  (PDF)

Trash in a Marsh
Pollution of all types, including trash, is a serious problem impacting the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Using maps, students trace how trash enters the bay, analyze trash during the program at your school, and use math skills to graph their results. Complements the Trash in a Marsh Traveling Outreach Program.

» Download:  Grades 4-6  (PDF)

Waterman's Lab
The Waterman's Lab introduces students to the tools used by people to harvest crabs, oysters, and other animals from the Chesapeake Bay. The booklet contains student readings about oysters and crabs and has an extensive vocabulary list. Complements the Waterman's Lab Traveling Outreach Program.

» Download:  Grades 3-6  (PDF)

Watershed Moments
Everyone lives within a watershed, but what, exactly, does that mean? The answer can be found within the Watershed Moments teacher booklet, which provides an overview of life in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Graph the changes in hellbender populations to discover how this animal is affected by changes within the watershed. Learn about bayscaping and how you can become a Watershed Hero. This booklet contains pre- and post-visit activities for teachers that complement the Watershed Moments auditorium presentation at the National Aquarium.

» Download:  All Grades  (PDF)

Middle School Booklets (Grades 6–8)

Chesapeake Bay Explorations
The Chesapeake Bay Explorations teacher booklet for grades 4–6 is a great introduction to one of the key species living in the Chesapeake Bay: the oyster. Learn how oysters help keep the bay clean. Students investigate some solutions to the precipitous drop in oyster populations in recent years. Complements the Chesapeake Bay Explorations Aquarium classroom program.

» Download:  Grades 4-6  (PDF)

Chesapeake Bay Theme Day
The Chesapeake Bay Theme Day teacher booklet provides activities that will allow students to become familiar with several animals that are found in the Chesapeake Bay area and will help prepare students for the material that will be taught during the Aquarium program.

» Download:  Grades 5-6  (PDF)

Coral Reefs
Coral reefs provide beautiful habitats for marine animals, but few people realize that coral itself is actually an animal. Find out how a coral eats, grows, and is affected by pollution in the Coral Reefs teacher booklet. Examine real-time scientific data and play Coral Reef Survivor to learn how you can protect tropical corals. The Atlantic Coral Reef activity guides students through the National Aquarium’s reef exhibit in search of different coral species and fish behaviors. These pre- and post-visit activities serve as a complement to the Coral Reefs program at the National Aquarium.

» Download:  Grades 5-8  (PDF)

Ocean Theme Day
Learn about sharks and other ocean animals including whales and marine invertebrates. The booklet contains pre- and post-program activities for teachers that complement the Ocean Theme Day Traveling Outreach Program.

» Download:  Grades 5-6  (PDF)

Rainforest Theme Day
Investigate plant and animal interactions and adaptations necessary for survival in the South American Rain Forest. The booklet contains pre- and post-visit activities for teachers that complement the Rainforest Theme Day Traveling Outreach Program.

» Download:  Grades 5-6  (PDF)

Squid Lab
The Squid Lab teacher booklet provides an overview of squid and their relatives and includes directions to conduct a clam dissection in the classroom. Squid Jeopardy is a fun way to review concepts related to squid. Versions of the booklet are available for both the Aquarium-based lab and the classroom-based outreach lab.

» Download Aquarium:  Grades 6-12  (PDF)
» Download Classroom:  Grades 6-12  (PDF)

Student Activity Guide
Student Activity Guides provide pre- and post-visit activities, plus activities to do while at the Aquarium. All the activities are correlated to the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum.

» Download:  Grades 6-8  (PDF)

Teacher's Curriculum Guide
The Teacher's Curriculum Guide provides an overview of the Aquarium's exhibits. This booklet prepares you and your chaperones for a successful and educational field trip. The guide is filled with information about the various animals and the various habitats in which they live. The guide also contains the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum standards for grades Pre-K–12 as they correlate to the Aquarium field trip experience.

» Download:  Grades Pre-K-12  (PDF)

Trash in a Marsh
Pollution of all types, including trash, is a serious problem impacting the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Using maps, students trace how trash enters the bay, analyze trash during the program at your school, and use math skills to graph their results. Complements the Trash in a Marsh Traveling Outreach Program.

» Download:  Grades 4-6  (PDF)

Waterman's Lab
The Waterman's Lab introduces students to the tools used by people to harvest crabs, oysters, and other animals from the Chesapeake Bay. The booklet contains student readings about oysters and crabs, and has an extensive vocabulary list. Complements the Waterman's Lab Traveling Outreach Program.

» Download:  Grades 3-6  (PDF)

Watershed Moments
Everyone lives within a watershed, but what, exactly, does that mean? The answer can be found within the Watershed Moments teacher booklet, which provides an overview of life in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Graph the changes in hellbender populations to discover how this animal is affected by changes within the watershed. Learn about bayscaping and how you can become a Watershed Hero. This booklet contains pre- and post-visit activities for teachers that complement the Watershed Moments auditorium presentation at the National Aquarium.

» Download:  All Grades  (PDF)

High School Booklets (Grades 9–12)

Behind the Scenes
The Behind the Scenes teacher booklet introduces students to the many facets of caring for, feeding, and maintaining the Aquarium's animals and exhibits. Appropriate for grades 9–12, the booklet also explores the role of aquaria and zoos in conservation education in our society. Complements the Behind the Scenes Aquarium classroom program.

» Download:  Grades 9–12  (PDF)

Field Methods in Wetland Monitoring
Field Methods in Wetland Monitoring at Fort McHenry allows students to carry out scientific investigations on chemical, physical, and biological parameters, assessing the overall health/condition of the wetland. Appropriate for grades 9-12, the booklet contains pre- and post-visit activities that complement the wetland field experience.

» Download:  Grades 912  (PDF)

Phylum Lab
The Phylum Lab teacher booklet provides an overview of the eight major phyla or groups of animals. It also contains directions to students to build a phylum key. This tool will be used in the Phylum Lab Aquarium classroom program, and is a great learning tool for any Aquarium visit.

» Download:  Grades 9-12  (PDF)

Squid Lab
The Squid Lab teacher booklet provides an overview of squid and their relatives and includes directions to conduct a clam dissection in the classroom. Squid Jeopardy is a fun way to review concepts related to squid. Versions of the booklet are available for both the Aquarium-based lab and the classroom-based outreach lab.

» Download Aquarium:  Grades 6-12  (PDF)
» Download Classroom: Grades 6-12  (PDF)

Student Activity Guide
Student Activity Guides provide pre- and post-visit activities, plus activities to do while at the Aquarium. All the activities are correlated to the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum.

» Download:  Grades 9-12  (PDF)

Teacher's Curriculum Guide
The Teacher's Curriculum Guide provides an overview of the Aquarium's exhibits. This booklet prepares you and your chaperones for a successful and educational field trip. The guide is filled with information about the various animals and the various habitats in which they live. The guide also contains the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum standards for grades Pre-K–12 as they correlate to the Aquarium field trip experience.

» Download:  Grades Pre-K-12  (PDF)

Watershed Moments
Everyone lives within a watershed, but what, exactly, does that mean? The answer can be found within the Watershed Moments teacher booklet, which provides an overview of life in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Graph the changes in hellbender populations to discover how this animal is affected by changes within the watershed. Learn about bayscaping and how you can become a Watershed Hero. This booklet contains pre- and post-visit activities for teachers that complement the Watershed Moments auditorium presentation at the National Aquarium.

» Download:  All Grades  (PDF)