Activity Ideas—Why Not…

• Complete the Whale Word Search Challenge (PDF) .
  
  
• Draw a large map of Canada, including the surrounding bodies of water, and indicate where the 33 species of whales found around Canada live.
  
  
• Construct a life-size (or half-size) whale model using wire and papier mâché and suspend it from your classroom ceiling.
  
  
• Write letters to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Environment Canada and Parks Canada, expressing your concerns for whale conservation and urging the creation of more Marine Protected Areas.
  
  
• Share your knowledge of whales and their plight by setting up a display or exhibit in your school, local library or supermarket.
  
  
• If you’re lucky enough to live near whale habitat, take your whale experience to the extreme—go on a whale-watching trip! Learn first-hand about whales (and seabirds, fish, turtles, krill, plankton, dolphins, sharks…) and their environment and help support whale research programs. [Be sure to do some research about the company you are going out with to make sure they have a good reputation. Whales can be scared if boats approach them or move along beside them.]
  
  
• If you can't go out on a whale-watching expedition, why not have one in your classroom! Rent a couple of videos on whales and have a whale-watching party. Your local library is probably your best bet for getting good whale videos.
  
  
• Hold a fundraiser so that you can Adopt-a-Whale! When you adopt a whale your money goes to help scientists learn more about whales and how they can be protected. The more scientists learn, the more they can teach us about the lives of whales and how we can help. [Please research the organization you choose to support before you send them money. Know how your money will be spent.]

Some organizations with whale adoption programs:

Adopt a Whale Program
Whale Center of New England
P.O. Box 159
Gloucester, MA
01931-0159 USA,
Phone: (978) 281-6351
Fax: (978) 281-5666
http://www.whalecenter.org/adopt.htm

East Coast Ecosystems
Right Whale Adoption Program
Deborah Tobin
P.O. Box 36
Freeport, NS B0V 1B0
(902) 839-2962
East Coast Ecosystems site

World Society for the Protection of Animals
90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 960
Toronto, ON M4P 2Y3
1-800-363-9772
http://www.wspa.ca

Adopt a Blue Whale
Mingan Island Cetacean Study Inc.
Research Station
378 Bord de la Mer,
Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, QC G0G 1V0
Vox: (418) 949-2845
Fax: (418) 949-2845
http://www.rorqual.com

Adopt a Humpback Whale
International Wildlife Coalition
P.O. Box 461
Port Credit Postal Station
Mississauga, ON L5G 4M1
(905)279-2043
http://www.iwc.org

Whale watching photograph courtesy of New-Brunswick.Net.