8th grade essay on marine habitats
Tip: Your plan should include the prewriting steps listed in this lesson, such as a narrowed topic, notes, and an outline.
After your student chooses a topic, have them read a brief overview or two. This will help provide enough information to help them narrow the topic. Review your student’s concept web and research focus before they proceed to the next step.
Remind your student to keep a numbered list of research sources used.
Review your student’s notecards and work with them to use the cards to create an outline.
Narrowed Topic: The Importance of Marine Habitats and their Biodiversity
Notes:
1. Definition of marine habitats
- Marine habitats refer to areas in the oceans and seas that provide a suitable environment for marine organisms to live and thrive.
- These habitats can be classified into different types, including coral reefs, kelp forests, estuaries, and open ocean zones.
2. Biodiversity in marine habitats
- Marine habitats support a diverse array of species, including fish, mammals, birds, and invertebrates.
- Biodiversity is crucial for the overall health and functioning of marine ecosystems.
3. Ecosystem services provided by marine habitats
- Marine habitats provide various ecosystem services, such as oxygen production, carbon sequestration, and regulation of climate patterns.
- They also support commercial and recreational activities, such as fishing, tourism, and water sports.
4. Threats to marine habitats and biodiversity
- Human activities, such as overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change, pose significant threats to marine habitats and their biodiversity.
- These threats can result in the loss of species, disruption of ecological balance, and negative impacts on human livelihoods.
Outline:
I. Introduction
- Definition and importance of marine habitats
- Thesis statement: Marine habitats play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity and providing various ecosystem services.
II. Biodiversity in marine habitats
- Explanation of the diverse range of species found in marine habitats
- Importance of biodiversity for the overall health of marine ecosystems
III. Ecosystem services provided by marine habitats
- Oxygen production and carbon sequestration
- Regulation of climate patterns
- Support for commercial and recreational activities
IV. Threats to marine habitats and biodiversity
- Overfishing and its impacts on fish populations
- Pollution and its effects on marine organisms
- Habitat destruction, coral bleaching, and loss of habitat
- Climate change and ocean acidification
V. Conclusion
- Recap of the importance of marine habitats and their biodiversity
- Call to action for conservation and protection of marine habitats.
Note: The student should use their numbered list of research sources to cite their information in the essay. Additionally, the notecards created during the research process can be used as references while writing each section of the essay.
Here is a step-by-step approach for writing an 8th grade essay on marine habitats:
Step 1: Narrow down your topic
- Choose a specific focus within marine habitats. For example, you could choose to write about coral reefs, estuaries, or deep-sea habitats.
Step 2: Read a brief overview
- Find a reliable source such as a book, article, or website that provides a brief overview of marine habitats.
- Read these overviews to gain a basic understanding of the chosen topic.
- Take notes while reading to help you remember important details.
Step 3: Create a concept web and research focus
- Use your knowledge from the overviews to create a concept web, where you write down key ideas related to your topic and connect them.
- Think about the specific aspects of your topic that you would like to explore further through research.
- Write down your research focus, which should clearly state what you want to learn or explore in your essay.
Step 4: Gather research sources
- Find credible sources that contain information related to your research focus.
- Keep a numbered list of the sources you use to keep track of your research.
Step 5: Take notecards
- As you gather information from your research sources, create notecards.
- Each notecard should contain one main idea or piece of information, along with the source citation (author, title, publication, date, etc.).
- Use your notecards to summarize and organize the information you find.
Step 6: Create an outline
- Review your notecards and identify the main points and subtopics you want to include in your essay.
- Use these main points and subtopics to create an outline for your essay.
- The outline should have an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
- Each main point should be supported by evidence and examples from your research.
By following these steps, you will have a solid plan for your essay on marine habitats.