A Day in the Life of a Leatherback
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Provided by: Gaia Scholastic|Published on: May 13, 2026
Lesson PlansScientist Reviewed
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This 5-day unit guides students through a research project for the leatherback sea turtle, exploring the animal and the multiple climate change and human-caused threats to its survival.
- Students will each research one "influencer" that impacts leatherbacks' survival and work together in groups to create a final news report of their findings.
Subjects: Science, English Language Arts
Authors: Rachel Arbor
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Preparation:
- Create groups where students will study the different "influencers" on Leatherback Sea Turtles and their survival. There are five "influencers" to research.
- The Teacher Notes and the Slides reference the Earth Matters game. This game can be found here, but teachers need to purchase it. The game is not necessary for the lesson.
Prerequisites:
- Ensure students are familiar with the importance of biodiversity and protecting species.
Broken Links:
- The first link for Moon Jellyfish research is broken. Omit this article or find another to introduce students to the species.
- The second link for the Tiger Sharks research is broken. Teachers can find it here.
Differentiation:
- For students with low reading stamina or in classrooms with limited time, consider printing or downloading the articles for research and highlighting the paragraphs students should read to find the most relevant information.
- Use mixed-ability grouping and assign articles to students within the group based on their length and difficulty.
This lesson teaches students about Leatherback Sea Turtles and their relationship to the world around them. Students will explore what influences Sea Turtles' lives and what Sea Turtles influence by living. This will help students understand how everything in nature is connected and influences the animals and environment around it. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
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Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
Gaia Scholastic
Gaia Scholastic's mission is to cultivate a generation of environmentally-literate global citizens by integrating nature and environmental concepts into the learning experiences of students of all ages and abilities. Gaia Scholastic supports educational organizations in weaving standards-driven, interdisciplinary Environmental Education into their work through curated curriculum, Professional Development, and with community events in which students take civic action.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
