Whale Module for Teachers, Students & Anyone Interested in Whales!

Dive into the wonders of the ocean with our free “Shake Your Tail – Save a Whale” toolkit! Developed by Naturalist Chloe Van Loon, with support from retired teachers Sheila Gamble-Dorn and Fran Quartini, this comprehensive resource is designed for students in K-8. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or educator, you can bring the incredible world of whales to life.

Uncover the mysteries of these majestic creatures with captivating topics such as the basics of whales, their lifecycle, food sources, body language, and unique adaptations like blubber, sound communication, and much more. Engage students with thought-provoking investigations into how blubber aids whales, the correlation between whale poop and climate change, and the reasons behind their epic migrations covering thousands of miles each year.

Subjects covered will include:

• Climate change
• Ecology
• Geography
• Outdoor activities
• Citizen action
• Biology
• Math
• Science
• Art
• English

By downloading our free toolkit, you’re not just accessing an invaluable resource for your classroom; you’re also playing a crucial role in securing the future of educational initiatives like this one. Each download represents a vote of confidence in our work, helping us secure the funding and grants necessary to continue offering these resources at no cost.

Your information allows us to show the widespread interest and impact of our programs, making it easier to gather support and expand our offerings. Your download does more than educate—it inspires change and supports our mission to protect our planet’s magnificent oceans and their inhabitants including the whales.

We will not share nor sell your information nor try to sell you merchandise. We only send resources and educational emails to our teachers. Our toolkits are created by humans, teachers, and naturalists. Our mission is to educate future generations and to empower them with knowledge.

Types of content included:

• Worksheets
• Lesson plans
• Follow-up discussions
• Videos
• Creative projects

We also invite you to print posters of the “Whales of Pacifica,” the “Whale Lifecycle,” and the “Monterey Bay Food Web,” and display them in the classroom for year-round reminders of our large marine friends. 

Ignite curiosity, spark creativity, and cultivate a sense of environmental stewardship with our whale toolkit—a gateway to an ocean of knowledge and discovery.

Topics covered:

• Whales are mammals
• Basics of Whales: baleen vs toothed whales, lifecycle, food source and body language
• Whales in Pacifica, and greater SF Bay Area
• Spotlight on Humback Whales
• Whale Adaptations: blubber, communicating with sound, breathes air, size 
• Migration
• Upwelling
• Threats to Whales: climate change, noise pollution, fishing gear, plastic pollution

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Previous Toolkits and Activities to Print – Always Available Online

Over the years, we have been gathering many different activities for kids of all ages either for school projects or to keep them occupied at home.

Explore our different toolkits:

• Nudibranch toolkit
• Albatross toolkit
• Coastal Bees toolkit
• Dolphin toolkit
• Kelp toolkit
• Mission Blue Butterfly toolkit

The following pages can be saved and printed too: