Preschool Under the Sea/Ocean Theme Activities
Below you can find tons of fun and engaging Preschool under the sea/ocean activities!
Click on a button below to view a section-use the yellow arrow to return to the top!
Click on a button below to view a section-use the yellow arrow to return to the top!
Don't forget to Log In to download all of your Pre-K Printable Fun Products for free!
Not a member? Find out more about our membership |
This site uses affiliate links (What's that?)
Dive into learning with this fun Under the Sea theme!
Pre-K Printables Club Members
Log In to download these Pre-K Printable Fun Product for free!
Not a member? Find out more about our membership
Not a member? Find out more about our membership
There are all kinds of craft and process art ideas that would be fun to explore during the Under the Sea Theme!
Be sure to add extra blue and green crayons, markers, colored pencils, and paper to your art center this week.
Here are some ideas for Art & Creativity projects and processes to try this week:
Be sure to add extra blue and green crayons, markers, colored pencils, and paper to your art center this week.
Here are some ideas for Art & Creativity projects and processes to try this week:
*Painting a Striped Fish with Fork Painting
Provide a fish shape cutout, we recommend using one cut from card stock.
Then set out shallow dishes of paint (paper plates or disposable pie tins work well), along with forks. Invite children to dip the forks in the paint, then drag across their fish to make a unique fish with different colors and patterns.
Biocolors would be great for this invitation as the colors don't mix quite as easy.
Here is a fabulous tutorial, Fork Painted Fish from Fantastic Fun & Learning
Then set out shallow dishes of paint (paper plates or disposable pie tins work well), along with forks. Invite children to dip the forks in the paint, then drag across their fish to make a unique fish with different colors and patterns.
Biocolors would be great for this invitation as the colors don't mix quite as easy.
Here is a fabulous tutorial, Fork Painted Fish from Fantastic Fun & Learning
Create an Underwater Scene
Set up an invitation to create an underwater scene using corn syrup, plastic wrap, and sea creature cut-outs. Here's How:
- Suggested Materials: Round paper plates, plastic wrap, corn syrup, blue food coloring, paint brushes, ocean themed cutouts (you can cut out fish shapes, sea shells, and stars out of card stock).
- Process: Mix the blue food coloring into the corn syrup and add a little to shallow paint dishes for each student. Give each child a paper plate and place the ocean theme cut-outs around the table so everyone can reach them. Invite students to brush, drizzle, and drop the corn syrup in a thin layer onto their plate. Next, children will add shape cutouts of their choice onto the corn syrup. When they are done, support them in adding saran wrap to the top to cover the corn syrup (you may wish to tape onto the pack of the plate, however it should stick fairly well). Place on the drying rack overnight (longer for students that made a thicker ocean), then invite students to display in the classroom.
Crayon Resist Under The Sea
Provide white cardstock and white crayons. Invite children to write their name (or you can do this for them) on the white paper. Next, provide a set of watercolors and a paintbrush, invite children to brush over the whole paper with blue (allow other colors if they wish) to reveal their name.
**You can also do this activity using blue liquid watercolors and pipettes. Simply invite children to drop the liquid watercolors over the paper to reveal the name.
**You can also do this activity using blue liquid watercolors and pipettes. Simply invite children to drop the liquid watercolors over the paper to reveal the name.
Drop Painting
Use Drop Painting to create fun fish art.
- Tape a cutout of a fish from card stock onto a large piece of poster board.
- Follow the instructions from the Drop Painting tutorial to create the artwork.
- When finished, remove the fish cutout. The drop painting adds a bit of texture and will tie in well with the bits of sand that stick to the paper. Invite students to display their artwork in class.
Ocean in a Bottle
Create an Ocean in a Bottle
- Materials:
- Plastic bottles (ask parents for donations, you can use a variety of types of bottles, just be sure the lids can be glued on)
- White sand
- blue food coloring mixed into water (set out in small pitchers for independent use)
- mini sea shells, mini sea creatures, and/or blue/green glass gems
- funnels
- glue (gorilla glue, super glue, hot glue are some suggestions)
- Process:
- Set the materials out for children and explain the process. Invite students to use the funnels to add some sand to their bottles (this is great for developing hand-eye coordination and learning to use tools).
- Next they can add a few sea shells and other accessories, then they can pour water in until the bottle is about 3/4 full.
- Once their creation is complete, glue the lid on. You will need to determine what type of glue is best based on the bottle you choose.
Under the Sea Collage
- Materials:
- Magazines
- blue/green/white construction paper or butcher paper
- glue & scissors
- other fun collage materials: buttons in assorted colors and sizes, ocean themed stickers, ocean stencils or stamps, roll of white paper, glitter glue.
This is a great opportunity to create a large piece of collaborative art for the classroom. Lay out a large piece of white paper on a table or the floor. tape down the sides to prevent them from curling up. Invite students to work on the paper together or choose part of the paper to work on independently. Be sure to inform them that this will be a collaborative piece to be hung in the classroom.
- Students may wish to add their name in a spot where they spent a lot of time working. You can also consider adding photos of the children to different spots on the paper to show that it was a collaborative project. Once the artwork is complete hang in the classroom. Students eager to show their parents what they did should be encouraged to invite their parent in the classroom to view the artwork. If a parent is unable to come in consider offering to take a photograph to send to the parent to view.
- Follow-up this activity by adding similar materials to the art center for students to create their own collages.
Wavy Water Collage
- Materials: blue construction paper, glue or glue sticks, scissors, large white paper (consider card stock for this one). **This would be a great time to use those fancy edging scissors
- Process: Provide each child with a set of materials. Invite students to cut waves out of the blue paper (this is excellent cutting practice and great for fine motor development). Encourage students to cut out waves in any way they like, there is no right or wrong way! Next, students will glue the waves on their paper. This is a good time to talk about AB patterning. Students can place a blue wave and leave a white space repeated down the paper. Or they may choose to overlap the wave strips, again there is no right or wrong way.
Salt Watercolor Art
This is a great process art project to start after reading a book about the ocean, be sure to pick up one that talks about saltwater.
- Materials: Course sea salt, watercolor paint, watercolor paper, water
- Process: Invite children to paint a design of their choosing with the watercolors, encourage them to use extra water so the paper is wet. Once their painting is complete, invite them to sprinkle or shake out salt onto the painting.
Jellyfish movement
Before this activity watch a video that explores how Jellyfish move!
Cut out long pastel crepe paper strip tentacles for each child. Listen to relaxing under the sea music and encourage your students to gently float and move around like jellyfish to the music.
Cut out long pastel crepe paper strip tentacles for each child. Listen to relaxing under the sea music and encourage your students to gently float and move around like jellyfish to the music.
More Art & Creativity Ideas
Ocean Play Dough Invitation from Mom Inspired Life
Sandpaper Art from Kids Play Box
Shark Hat from Glue sticks & Gumdrops
Stamped Fish From Teaching 2 and 3 year Olds
Contact Paper Jelly Fish from Juggling with Kids
Sandpaper Art from Kids Play Box
Shark Hat from Glue sticks & Gumdrops
Stamped Fish From Teaching 2 and 3 year Olds
Contact Paper Jelly Fish from Juggling with Kids
Be sure to browse your local thrift store for some interesting and unique finds for this theme. You may be able to find seashells, sea animal figures and stuffed creatures, blue and green silk scarves, scuba gear, and interesting nautical decor.
Here are some other fun items to add to your learning environment this week.
Here are some other fun items to add to your learning environment this week.
Housekeeping Space
In your Housekeeping Space this week, consider adding some Seafood Cookbooks along with pretend food from the ocean for children to use in their pretend cooking. You might also consider hanging a piece of artwork that features an ocean scene.
Under the Sea Dramatic Play
Add an Ocean Backdrop (an ocean themed shower curtain or even blue cloth would work too!) Ocean Animal Cut-outs (make your own or hit up the dollar store), pretend rocks, tunnels to hide in and sea creature costumes (silk scarves can also be used to create many different costumes).
Children can pretend to be all kinds of ocean creatures. Be sure to have plenty of resource books or technology available for children to research ocean animals when questions about them arise.
Children can pretend to be all kinds of ocean creatures. Be sure to have plenty of resource books or technology available for children to research ocean animals when questions about them arise.
At the Beach
Setting up a Beach dramatic play invitation is so much fun!
Create a Beach Prop Box for children to be able to easily set up beach dramatic play in no time. . Materials to consider: beach chairs, blankets, sand play items, and shells to collect (this would be fun outside near a sandbox)
Create a Beach Prop Box for children to be able to easily set up beach dramatic play in no time. . Materials to consider: beach chairs, blankets, sand play items, and shells to collect (this would be fun outside near a sandbox)
*Under the Sea Aquarium
Set up an Aquarium for children to practice many different skills while exploring Under the Sea Creatures
Add several exhibits featuring Sea Animals such as sharks, penguins, jellyfish, whales, sea lions, and crabs. You can add a variety of stuffed animals for these exhibits along with posters of the animals.
Add books and posters to each exhibit for viewers to learn more about each animal.
Add an admission area, gift shop, and snack shop for extra role playing and math fun
Include pamphlets, and an educational movie viewing area
Add several exhibits featuring Sea Animals such as sharks, penguins, jellyfish, whales, sea lions, and crabs. You can add a variety of stuffed animals for these exhibits along with posters of the animals.
Add books and posters to each exhibit for viewers to learn more about each animal.
Add an admission area, gift shop, and snack shop for extra role playing and math fun
Include pamphlets, and an educational movie viewing area
The Pre-K Printable Fun Aquarium Dramatic Play Pack includes props and signs to help you easily create an Aquarium Experience in your Early Learning Environment.
**Pre-K Printables Club Members: This resource is available free to you in the Member Download Area
**Pre-K Printables Club Members: This resource is available free to you in the Member Download Area
*uppercase and Lowercase Letter Matching
Practice matching uppercase and lowercase letters with this Under the Sea inspired file folder game.
This activity can be set up as a file folder game, table activity, or even in the sensory bin! Hide the letter cards in a sensory bin full of pom poms for children to discover. As they find a letter they identify it and mark the matching letter on the mat.
This alphabet activity is included in the PKPF Under the Sea Preschool Activity Pack.
This activity can be set up as a file folder game, table activity, or even in the sensory bin! Hide the letter cards in a sensory bin full of pom poms for children to discover. As they find a letter they identify it and mark the matching letter on the mat.
This alphabet activity is included in the PKPF Under the Sea Preschool Activity Pack.
Under the Sea Writing
Add word wall vocabulary cards, like the ones pictured from the PKPF Under the Sea pack to your writing center this week.
Children can use the cards as inspiration to practice writing skills or create an Under the Sea story. The 16- different cards could be used to create a visual story that children can read aloud to peers or family.
Children can use the cards as inspiration to practice writing skills or create an Under the Sea story. The 16- different cards could be used to create a visual story that children can read aloud to peers or family.
Writing in the Sand
Set up a sand writing tray for letter and name practice.
If you have the PKPF Under the Sea pack you can use the pearl letter cards for this invitation. Children can flip over a letter, then draw it in the sand with their finger.
Or encourage children to draw letters, numbers, or different lines in the sand when in the sand box.
If you have the PKPF Under the Sea pack you can use the pearl letter cards for this invitation. Children can flip over a letter, then draw it in the sand with their finger.
Or encourage children to draw letters, numbers, or different lines in the sand when in the sand box.
Environmental Print
Add ocean themed images around the learning environment, label the images with the creatures featured on the art or the letter that the animal begins with.
Seashell Memory: Name Recognition
Play a seashell memory game using the names of children in the classroom or family.
This can also be done using numbers or for older children, sight words.
This can also be done using numbers or for older children, sight words.
- Materials: Seashells large enough to write names in (can usually be found at the dollar store or ask parents to donate some) you will need two shells per name/word, sharpie
- Preparation: On each shell, write one name of a child in the classroom, be sure that each child has their name written on two different shells, be sure to write clearly so children can read the name.
- Play: Set up an invitation for 2-3 children to play at a time. Play is the same as the classic memory game. Children flip over two shells, they read the name and see if they match.
- Variation: For advanced preschoolers, Instead of writing the child's first name on both shells, try writing their first name on one shell and their last name on another. For younger preschoolers consider writing a symbol such as a shape next to the name to assist them in identifying matches. Another way to play is to write uppercase letters on one shell and lowercase on another and inviting students to match.
**Assessment Opportunity: Preschoolers are beginning to recognize that print carries a message. One of the first words a child will learn is their name, followed by the names of their friends and family members. While engaging in this game, assess this skill. Be prepared with a blank piece of paper or sticky note to jot down observations.
Find the Missing Magnetic Letter: Summer Words!
This summer inspired activity is a perfect accessory for your Under the Sea theme.
Learn more about this pack on the Find the Missing Magnetic Letter Summer Words blog post.
Pre-K Printables Club Members: Log in to download this set for free in the member area.
Learn more about this pack on the Find the Missing Magnetic Letter Summer Words blog post.
Pre-K Printables Club Members: Log in to download this set for free in the member area.
Following a line with seashells
Pre-K Printable Fun Community Member Chris Chapman created this invitation for her preschoolers to follow a line using seashells.
Learning to follow a line is excellent for hand-eye coordination and an essential pre-reading and writing skill.
Learning to follow a line is excellent for hand-eye coordination and an essential pre-reading and writing skill.
Story Basket
Set up a story basket using a favorite book about under the sea creatures such as A House for Hermit Crab. Include crab figurines or stuffed animals and shells and of course a copy of the book. Plan to read the book aloud, children can then access the basket throughout the theme to retell the story.
More Language & Literacy Ideas
Alphabet Sounds Fishing from the Imagination Tree
This week be sure to add both fiction and non-fiction books to your early learning environment. Here are a few fun books to dive into this week!
What Lives in a Shell by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld
A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle
Hello Ocean by Pam Muñoz Ryan
How to Hide an Octopus by Ruth Heller
The Sandcastle that Lola Built by Megan Mayno
Over in the Ocean by Marianne Berkes
Mr. Seahorse by Eric Carle
The Ocean Alphabet Book by Jerry Pollatta
Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia by DK Publishing
Ocean: A Photicular Book by Dan Kainen
A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle
Hello Ocean by Pam Muñoz Ryan
How to Hide an Octopus by Ruth Heller
The Sandcastle that Lola Built by Megan Mayno
Over in the Ocean by Marianne Berkes
Mr. Seahorse by Eric Carle
The Ocean Alphabet Book by Jerry Pollatta
Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia by DK Publishing
Ocean: A Photicular Book by Dan Kainen
Sensory Table Exploration
There are so many fun ways to change up the sensory table during this theme. Here are just a few ideas:
- Add some blue, green, and clear water beads to the sensory table.
- Freeze some ocean creature figurines in small bowls, toss into the water table for exploration and excavation.
- Set up the sensory bin with blue and green aquarium gravel, add in ocean figurines.
Ocean inspired sensory bin from Pre-K Fun community member Chris Chapman
Study the Layers of the Ocean
Pre-K Printable Fun Community Member Chris Chapman shared this activity that she set up for the children in her program.
Explore the differences in color in the different layers in the ocean and learn some new nomenclature.
Explore the differences in color in the different layers in the ocean and learn some new nomenclature.
Seashell Exploration
Add seashells and a magnifying glass to the science center this week.
Invite children to sort the seashells based on whether they feel rough or smooth.
Consider adding the seashells along with some sand, salt, and water to your sensory table for some ocean exploration.
Invite children to sort the seashells based on whether they feel rough or smooth.
Consider adding the seashells along with some sand, salt, and water to your sensory table for some ocean exploration.
Learn about the parts of a Fish
Learn about the parts of a fish and label them using this printable included in the PKPF Under the Sea Preschool Activity Pack.
Taking Care of the Ocean
Learning to take care of the environment is important for young children. Use this theme to teach children about the importance of properly disposing of garbage. One way to do this is to set up an oil spill clean up station
- Materials: vegetable oil, bird feathers, spoons, large plastic bowls, dish soap, and water
- Preparation: Set up your station(s). This can be done as a large group activity, independent exploration, or in pairs/small groups.
- Each station will need a bowl with vegetable oil and feathers (mix in to coat the feathers), spoons or tongs to extract the feathers, dish of soapy water, and clean water for rinsing.
- Procedure: Start by giving children prior information about oil spills. Be sure to do this in a gentle way, you are simply introducing the concept.
- Show students how the oil separates from the water and sticks to the feathers. Invite children to provide their observations. Ask them how they think the oil would affect sea creatures. Next, show children how the oil can be removed from the feathers with the soap.
**Assessment Opportunity** Science: Recognizes cause and effect relationships
I Can Sort & Classify Animals
Set up an invitation to sort and classify animals. The I Can Sort & Classify Animals set from Pre-K Printable Fun includes 6 fun animal sorting and classification activities. This is a good opportunity to talk about the types of animals that live in the sea and why.
Pre-K Printables Club Members: Download this pack for free in the member area under the letter A
Pre-K Printables Club Members: Download this pack for free in the member area under the letter A
Sound Waves
During your Under the Sea theme you are likely to talk about waves in the ocean.
This is a great lead into talking about another type of wave, sound waves!
This great video from the Montana Science Center provides an explanation and simple experiment that can be done with children to introduce this concept.
This is a great lead into talking about another type of wave, sound waves!
This great video from the Montana Science Center provides an explanation and simple experiment that can be done with children to introduce this concept.
More Science & Discovery Ideas
Under the Sea Sensory Bin from Little Lifelong Learners
Sand and Water Sensory Bin from Mom Inspired Life
Tide pool sensory bin from Buggy and Buddy
Ocean Sensory Tub from No Time for Flashcards
Under the Sea Search and Find from Powerful Mothering
Ocean Slime from Buggy and Buddy
Sand Foam from Paging Fun Mums
Sand Play Dough from Mama Papa Bubba
Sand Slime from Little Bins for Little Hands
Sand and Water Sensory Bin from Mom Inspired Life
Tide pool sensory bin from Buggy and Buddy
Ocean Sensory Tub from No Time for Flashcards
Under the Sea Search and Find from Powerful Mothering
Ocean Slime from Buggy and Buddy
Sand Foam from Paging Fun Mums
Sand Play Dough from Mama Papa Bubba
Sand Slime from Little Bins for Little Hands
Writing Numbers in the Sand
Invite your preschooler to practice drawing numbers with a Beach Inspired Sand Tray.
Visit the blog for more details on creating this activity.
Visit the blog for more details on creating this activity.
Sorting Seashells by Attributes
Provide a variety of seashells in different sizes, shapes, colors, and textures along with some small containers or pieces of paper.
Invite your preschooler to sort the shells by a common attribute. Challenge them to find many different ways to sort or order the seashells.
Invite your preschooler to sort the shells by a common attribute. Challenge them to find many different ways to sort or order the seashells.
*Under the Sea Counting Mat
Counting mats are a fun way to practice number recognition and counting skills.
The PKPF Under the Sea Preschool Activity Pack includes counting mats for numbers 1-10 and for counting up to 20 with versions with frames and without.
Use these mats with the included printable starfish or with your own fun Under the Sea manipulatives.
The PKPF Under the Sea Preschool Activity Pack includes counting mats for numbers 1-10 and for counting up to 20 with versions with frames and without.
Use these mats with the included printable starfish or with your own fun Under the Sea manipulatives.
Read Aloud Activity: As Big as a Blue Whale
- Materials: Rope cut to 100 feet
- Procedure: Read a book about whales such as Is a Whale the Biggest thing there is? by Robert E. Wells.
- Invite children to engage in conversation about how big a blue whale is. Encourage them to make guesses comparing a whale to common everyday objects. "I think a blue whale is as big as a ____" Record their guesses on a chalkboard or piece of paper. Next, have the children help you unravel the rope. Tell children the rope is the size that a blue whale can grow to. Allow time for conversation about size and comparison. Invite children to compare themselves to the size of the whale. Ask how many of them it would take to be the size of a whale. Ask what other objects are a similar size.
Whale Sorting By Size
This sorting by size activity, included in the PKPF Under the Sea Preschool Activity Pack, is a great follow-up activity to the above read aloud or at anytime during this theme. Invite your preschoolers to learn and practice sorting objects by size utilizing the Under the Sea theme for engagement.
Did you know the blue whale is the largest animal on earth? It can grow to over 30 feet long! Compare these objects to a whale: which is bigger and which is smaller? pencil, mountain, car, train, spoon, an elephant, a house, etc.
Did you know the blue whale is the largest animal on earth? It can grow to over 30 feet long! Compare these objects to a whale: which is bigger and which is smaller? pencil, mountain, car, train, spoon, an elephant, a house, etc.
More Mathematics Ideas
Under the Sea Construction
Add a variety of Sea Creatures to your space this week. Provide Children with different types of materials to create an underwater scene such as: Blue Felt/Fabric, Sandpaper, Seaweed, Shells and Rocks.
Build an Aquarium
Set up an invitation to create an aquarium during group play. Each group will need wooden unit blocks (or cardboard blocks), blue silk scarves, accessories such as sea shells or sea shell cutouts, and sea creatures. You could challenge each group to create an ocean habitat for a different type of sea creature.
Physical Development is an important part of the education of young children. Children develop large muscles before they develop small muscles. So not only is gross motor development an essential part of overall health, it is also very important for learning to write later on. Here are a few ideas for developing both Fine Motor Skills and Gross Motor Skills that align with the Under the Sea Theme
*Under the Sea Movement Cards
Challenge preschoolers to move their body in a variety of ways with these fun Under the Sea Movement Cards from Pre-K Printable Fun
Visit the Under the Sea Movement Cards blog post to download your free set.
Under the sea Play Dough Invitation
Create an invitation to create an under the sea scene with play dough.
Suggested Materials: Blue, green, yellow, and black play dough, ocean cookie cutters, rolling pins, small sea creatures and mini sea shells, sequins, and glitter play dough.
Hermit Crab Shells
Play a fun game where children swap "hermit crab shells"
- Materials: Something to use as shells such as Bilibos, small laundry baskets, or large plastic bowls, a book about hermit crabs.
- Procedure: First, read a book about hermit crabs to give children some background information. Place the "shells" in various places around the room, inform children that they will be pretending to be a hermit crab. Play some ocean inspired music, randomly stop the music, when the music stops encourage children to travel to the nearest shell and wear it. Play the music again, this time when the music stops children will trade shells with the child nearest to them.
Play Dough Creations
Play Dough is an excellent tool for fine motor development. Visit the Summer Inspired Play Dough Recipes to find inspiration for creating your own Ocean themed invitations.
Feed the Sharks
- Materials: large piece of poster board, bean bags
- Preparation: Create a shark from the poster board, this doesn't have to be anything fancy, simply create a shark outline, be sure to draw a large mouth (you could also create a Shark Cornhole game if you are super handy). Place the shark outline on the floor (you may want to tape to the floor). Place the beanbags in a basket a few feet away from the shark.
- Play: Children will take turns, this is a good opportunity to teach children about standing in line and about taking turns. For younger students, be sure they do not have a long wait, encourage children in line to observe the peer currently playing, engage them in conversation. Children will stand a few feet away from the shark and toss the bean bags (fish) towards the shark, the goal is to get the bean bag to land on the mouth of the shark to feed him.
- Variation: Set up a shark cutout on the front of a small box. Cut out a small hole where the mouth is. Cut out small fish from construction paper or card stock (as an added learning opportunity consider writing letters, names, shapes, or numbers on the fish). Place the fish in a large container on the floor. Invite students to take a fish out of the container, if applicable read what is on the fish, and then travel to the shark to feed him.
- Activities included in the Pre-K Printable Fun Under the Sea Activity Pack
- Variety of clip cards that support math and literacy development as well as fine motor development
- Cutting and Tracing activity
- 12-Frame Ocean theme puzzle
*First Sounds Clip Cards
Mix up fine motor with phonetic awareness with this hands-on activity.
Clip cards are excellent for hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and finger strength. While working on physical development, preschoolers are also practicing letter recognition and learning beginning sounds.
These first sounds clip cards are included in the PKPF Under the Sea Preschool Activity Pack
Clip cards are excellent for hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and finger strength. While working on physical development, preschoolers are also practicing letter recognition and learning beginning sounds.
These first sounds clip cards are included in the PKPF Under the Sea Preschool Activity Pack
More Physical Development ideas
Ocean Themed Yoga from Pink Oatmeal
*The Earth's oCean
Learn about Earth's Ocean! This is a fun time to discuss how there is one global ocean, but humans refer to them as 5 different oceans.
Teach children the names of the five different oceans and show them on a large map hung on the wall.
Ask your students and their families if anyone has visited the ocean. This is a great time to share pictures of their visit to the ocean.
Teach children the names of the five different oceans and show them on a large map hung on the wall.
Ask your students and their families if anyone has visited the ocean. This is a great time to share pictures of their visit to the ocean.
- Invite someone to class that has done some ocean sports or studied sea life to talk about their experiences.
- Find out if any of the students have family that live near an ocean. Mark the spot on a map and see how far they are away.
Building Problem-Solving Skills
Preschoolers are learning there are many different ways to solve problems.
Learning many different approaches to solving problems helps children to be successful in both social problems and when approaching new or difficult tasks.
Reading books is a great way to show children how others might solve problems.
Discussing the storyline and how the characters dealt with the problem
Learning many different approaches to solving problems helps children to be successful in both social problems and when approaching new or difficult tasks.
Reading books is a great way to show children how others might solve problems.
Discussing the storyline and how the characters dealt with the problem
- Read the book The Sandcastle that Lola Built by Megan Mayno.
- After reading, invite children to talk about the problems Lola experienced in the book and what she did to solve them. Ask them if they have ever been frustrated when something they worked hard on had been destroyed...how did they react?...how could they react next time?
- This is a good opportunity to practice problem-solving. You could set up a reenactment at the sandbox or even in the block area. Encourage children to come up with creative solutions.
- During this activity be sure to focus on words like "frustration", "problem-solving", "resolve", and "conflict"
*Calming Ocean
In your calm down space add ocean sensory bottles, calm ocean wave sounds music, and photographs of the ocean.
When you add new items to your calm down space it's important to show children how they can be used. If you don't, you could very likely end up with calm down bottles being rolled across the room (which is fun, but not the purpose of these bottles dedicated to this space) and ocean sounds being played way too loud.
Show the children these objects during circle time and talk about how they might be used when they visit the calm down space.
Here are a few breathing techniques you can teach children to go along with this theme and these special props:
When you add new items to your calm down space it's important to show children how they can be used. If you don't, you could very likely end up with calm down bottles being rolled across the room (which is fun, but not the purpose of these bottles dedicated to this space) and ocean sounds being played way too loud.
Show the children these objects during circle time and talk about how they might be used when they visit the calm down space.
Here are a few breathing techniques you can teach children to go along with this theme and these special props:
- Explain that a whale's blowhole is what they use to breathe. Then encourage them to engage in "whale breathing". Teach deep breathing by encouraging children to take a deep breath in and hold for several seconds, then release like a whale through their blowhole.
Share Family EXPERIENCES.
Invite students to bring in photographs of them from a time when they visited the ocean. Encourage them to share their experience with the group. Perhaps some children have family that live near the ocean, allow them time to talk about their family.
Parent Engagement
- Ask parents to send in photos from when they visited the beach with their child. Some families may have seashells they are willing to loan to the classroom.
- Ask for parent volunteers to set up the Aquarium Dramatic Play Invitation or to set up a pretend beach.
- Set up an Under the Sea Family Literacy Night. Set up the classroom with literacy activities and extra spaces for reading together. Open the classroom for about an hour for parents to spend time reading and exploring literacy activities with their children.
- Send home an Under the Sea inspired math kit (such as adding with seashells) for children to play with their parents.
- Read: Article, 8 Ways to Engage Parents in Childcare
Community Involvement
- If you live near an ocean, locate a local expert on sea life to come in and speak to your students, or arrange a field trip.
- After talking a bit about oil spills, challenge your group to think of a way they can help prevent pollution in their own community. Even small changes like making sure they always pick up their own trash can make a big difference!
- Take a field trip to a pet store with aquariums (arrange this with the facility ahead of time). Ask the staff to share their expertise about saltwater fish and freshwater fish.
Assessment and Portfolios
There are many assessments that can take place as children engage in play during this theme.
This week consider carefully observing children during the Seashell Memory: Name Recognition activity. Assess where children are at in their ability to recognize their own name as well as the names of their peers.
This week consider carefully observing children during the Seashell Memory: Name Recognition activity. Assess where children are at in their ability to recognize their own name as well as the names of their peers.
Assessment Follow-up
Plan to increase support for children based on where they are at with this assessment. Children not yet recognizing their own name can benefit from more Name Recognition play invitations.
Children that have mastered recognizing their own name can benefit from learning to recognize the names of their peers/family members or may even be ready for cvc word activities.
Plan to increase support for children based on where they are at with this assessment. Children not yet recognizing their own name can benefit from more Name Recognition play invitations.
Children that have mastered recognizing their own name can benefit from learning to recognize the names of their peers/family members or may even be ready for cvc word activities.
Follow the Leader: Under the Sea Style
Have a discussion with children about how many fish swim together in what is called a school of fish, mostly to protect themselves from predators.
Then, invite your preschoolers to engage in a game of Follow the Leader. Challenge children to "swim" close to one another to stay with their school.
The song Let's Go Swimming by The Laurie Berkner Band would be a great song to play during this activity.
Then, invite your preschoolers to engage in a game of Follow the Leader. Challenge children to "swim" close to one another to stay with their school.
The song Let's Go Swimming by The Laurie Berkner Band would be a great song to play during this activity.
The Fish in the Sea: Storytime Scarf Song
The ladies over at Jbrary have so many fun resources to share for this theme. Here is a fun Storytime Scarf Song, The Fish in the Sea
More Group & Circle Time Activities
- Sing ocean inspired fingerplays and songs such as Baby Shark, Down by the Bay, Baby Beluga, There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea, Under the Sea, Swimming Song, and Ocean Waves music
- During small group time read an ocean alphabet book. Follow the activity by inviting students to say the name of an ocean creature that starts with the same letter their name does.
- Play Sharks and Minnows
- Play Fish, Fish, Shark (variation on Duck, Duck, Goose)
Learning on-the-go
If you're a homeschooling parent on-the-go, you know how important it is to have activities you can easily take with you wherever you go.
Binder activities are perfect for learning in the car, out in the yard, small spaces, and just for fun.
The PKPF Summer Dry-Erase Binder is a perfect accessory for this theme, and easy to put together. Learn more about this binder on the Summer Binder blog post.
Pre-K Printables Club Members: Download this printable for free in the member area.
Binder activities are perfect for learning in the car, out in the yard, small spaces, and just for fun.
The PKPF Summer Dry-Erase Binder is a perfect accessory for this theme, and easy to put together. Learn more about this binder on the Summer Binder blog post.
Pre-K Printables Club Members: Download this printable for free in the member area.
SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH A MEMBERSHIP
Save time planning your lessons and setting up your centers. Get unlimited access to all of the Pre-K Printable Fun Products inside our easy to access printable activity library!
|