Grades K-5: Whaling Log

Objective	Students will learn about whaling voyages and the consequences of whaling on marine mammals, as well as the way of life surrounding it.
Materials	None.
Time Frame	1 hour
Teacher Background	See Conservation in the Background Information Section. Throughout history there has been an active industry built around the hunting of whales. As early as the 15th century, Basque whalers from what is now Spain sailed across the Atlantic to the waters of Nova Scotia to capture Right Whales. Right whales were already scarce nearer to Europe at that time. As technology progressed the ships became larger and catches more efficient. Ships would spend 1-2 years away from port, sailing around the world to make a healthy profit, especially in the 1800's.
Dive In!	What was life on a whaling vessel like in the olden days?
Process	Have students create their own log books based for an imaginary voyage in search of whales to hunt. They should describe the paces they are going, the peoples they meet and the types of whales they are looking for. For purposes of clarity, all students should be covering the same period of time. Students may illustrate their log books with pictures of different species of whales and the places that they were found. As a variation on this idea, you could have the students keep this log over several days. Have them add something in it everyday, with a special event created by you to be added on each day. Examples could include a sudden storm that blows them off-course or a strange species of whale.