Go Outside and …

• Investigate the environmental factors affecting your community.
• Make a list of all the human activities you can think of that affect your life.
• What kinds of adaptations have you, your family and your community made so that you stay healthy?

• Study an animal and observe all of its behaviors. See if you can identify the reasons behind its behaviors. What does each behavior do for the animal?

Read …

• Whale Rider, by Witi Ihimaera, a great book that unfolds the journey of a young girl named Kahu who is part of the Maori tribe. See how this tribal community upholds its ancient traditions in these modern times.
• After you read the book, check out the movie version of Whale Rider and see if it's similar to what you created in your imagination.
• Express yourself creatively by drawing or painting a visual of yourself as the Whale Rider.
• Write your own book telling the story of how you and your family try to maintain your culture and values.

Visit …

• An aquarium and investigate all the different forms of life that are found in the ocean.
• See if you can observe feeding and mating behaviors.
• Read about these forms of life, paying particular attention to the ones that are food for whales.
• Take a field notebook with you and illustrate, name and describe all the species you find interesting.

• A whale-watching center located in your area or online.
• Ask about community events in your area, then go to one or more of them.
• Ask the people working at the center when is a good time to go out and watch whales.
• Sign up to be on the center's mailing list so you can get free information every month.

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• A whale-watching club or group in your community or online and become friends with other whale watchers.
• A coastal cleanup or ocean education effort.
• A migration study -- help to track the migration of animals in your community.