Ocean Habitats:
The Intertidal Zone

Grade Level: 7-9

Summary: The Intertidal Zone presents a unique set of challenges for the organisms who live there. Extreme fluctuations in moisture level, heat, salinity, and sunlight make it a habitat suitable for only a few species. However, conditions change dramatically over a very small area, going from only occasionally wet to usually submerged in a matter of a few feet.

The activities contained in this unit are designed to enable students to investigate the creatures of intertidal zones and how they've adapted to the conditions that they live in.

View the Lesson Plans for this Unit
View the Content Standards

Download Related Documents:
Power Point Presentation: "Rocky Shore Tour" (zip file)

Student Instruction Sheet

Observation Worksheet

Activity 1:
Describing Organisms - The Power of the Pen in Science

Students study intertidal organisms and practice their scientific description skills.

Featured video clips in this activity:

Oregon Tide Pools Tidal pools provide habitat for numerous marine species of plants and animals, but unfortunately humans may be upsetting their delicate balance.

Activity 2:
A Virtual Tour of a Rocky Shore
Students watch a short presentation on the rocky intertidal zone and discuss how the organisms that live there have adapted to this environment.

Related Links:

Link to web version of "Rocky Shore Tour"

Featured video clips in this activity:

Northwest Beach - Tide Pools Pools of thriving sea life are left behind when the tide recedes, and mini-communities of marine plants and animals can be observed.

Activity 3:
Adaptations to Survivial in the Intertidal Zone
Students study the adaptations used by organisms living in the intertidal zone and discuss how these adaptations help them survive in this dynamic environment.

Featured video clips in this activity:

Northwest Beach - Tide Pools Pools of thriving sea life are left behind when the tide recedes, and mini-communities of marine plants and animals can be observed.

Activity 4:

Hold on to Your Home
Students will study the adaptations used by marine organisms to adapt to the different environments in the intertidal zone. They will experiment with sand, rocks, and water to determine some methods useful for "holding on" in each environment.

Featured video clips in this activity:

Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge - Beach and Dunes The beach on the Atlantic side of Assateague Island is a great place to find seashells and other evidence of marine life.

Acadia National Park, Maine - Tide Pools The shells that can be found along the tidal zone of Acadia National Park offer evidence of thriving marine life.