~Ocean and Beach Theme

                          CLA: Personal Photo                                  

~ As you have probably already figured out - I am HUGE Advocate for READING!!!
So- I hope with any of the lessons and/or units that you encourage the Love of Books~


~ Resources:
  National Science Educational Standards
  NSES:  Ocean Literacy Principle #1
  NSES: Diagram: Co-exploring
  National Geographic - Ocean

~This unit will implement Mathematics, Reading, Language, Science, Music, and most of all, Creativity!!



Lesson 1: The Beach
Read:  "Oceans" by:  Lynn M. Stone

~ Realistic Visuals
~ A short reference style book.
~ This book can be found at a local library!

Activity 1: Beach Field Trip

                         

Taking your child to a lake, river, or a beach will give them a visual of what a "Beach" looks like.  While there, take advantage of the scenery~ discuss several things ~ the sand, water, colors, boats, people, swimmers, fish, and more.  Please don't forget the senses! 

{When my little guy was three} My husband and I planned ahead for our little "Beach" day... rented a boat, bought fishing poles for everybody, and prepared snacks.  Our son- absolutely LOVED it.  In addition to the topic mentioned, we also discussed (mainly my son) about everything such as the fish, fishing, baiting a hook, worms, the waves, the sky, the boat, the dock, the birds, the clouds, and more.

{Two years later} Now that we live near an ocean we took advantage of several ocean adventures...

t this field-trip gave a great Insight for the lessons ahead ~ not-to-mention, future reference material.  

If you are unable to take an actual field trip.... explore a virtual one from a great and educational site ~ The National Geographic - Ocean! 

Activity 2:  Beach Bottle
Materials:  Recycled bottle, 1 cup of water, blue food coloring, 1/2 cup of oil (any type would do-try to find a light-colored one), and small plastic fish or other beach items.

Directions: 

1. Use a Recycled Plastic Container (soda bottle)
2. Pour the water in the container.
3. Pour 2-3 dots of food coloring into the water- swish.
4. Pour the oil into the container.
5. Put in one at a time the sea animal creatures.
6. Twirl the Bottle.

Note:  You can use a plastic funnel in order to allow the child to pour. 

Activity 3:  Beach Picture
Materials:  1/4 cup of sand, glue stick, white construction paper, water-color paint, paintbrush, water, 1/2 sheet of regular white plain paper, and crayons.

Directions:

Step 1:  Prepare and Set up the Area.

Step 2:  Draw a Dark Brown Curvy Line

Step 3:  Glue the Entire Bottom portion of the Paper

Step 5:  Water-Color the Top Portion of the Paper
Then, let dry.

Step 4:  Sprinkle on the Sand - Shake off excess.

 Step 6:  Draw some Beach items
(Umbrella, sea stars, shells, etc.)
 Let Dry- Cut out.

Enjoy the Art Work!

Activity 4: Read "Senses at the Seashore" by:  Shelley Rothner

~ A fun short book with realistic pictures. 
~ A Simple Read.
~ Includes all of the senses.

~ Remember to ask questions and Reference back to your little trip.


Lesson 2:  Fish
Activity 1:Tissue Paper Fish
Materials:  Different Color tissue paper, Glue Stick, 1 piece of White construction paper, Scissors, and a Black pen.

Directions:

1. Prepare ahead of time the tissue paper by cutting them into little squares.
2. Draw a Fish (Does not have to be perfect)
3. Glue the tissue paper onto the fish.
4. Cut out and Enjoy! 



Another Option:

• Instead of Glue use water.
• Once the tissue paper is completely dry- peel off.
• You should now see a faint color on your fish
• Cut out.
• This option gives the fish a nice water-color feel without using paint.

Activity 2:  Music

~ Fish in the Sea~
(Tune: Wheels on the Bus)

The fish in the sea go swim, swim, swim  (sway your hands and body)swim, swim, swim

swim, swim, swim

The fish in the sea go swim, swim, swim

All Day Long.

The crabs in the sea go click, click, click ( take your first two fingers and click them against your thumb)

click, click, click

click, click, click

The crabs in the sea go click, click, click

All Day Long.

The lobsters in the sea go pinch, pinch, pinch (take your four fingers and pinch them against your thumb)

pinch, pinch, pinch

The lobsters in the sea go pinch, pinch, pinch

All Day Long

The Octopus in the Sea goes wiggle, wiggle, wiggle ( wiggle your body and arms)

wiggle, wiggle, wiggle

The Octopus in the Sea goes wiggle, wiggle, wiggle

All Day Long

The Shark in the Sea goes munch, munch, munch (chomp your teeth)

munch, munch, munch

The Shark in the Sea goes munch, munch, munch

All Day Long

creative-little-apples.com

~ Fishy ~
I'm a little f- ishy, f-ishy, f-ishy
I'm a little f-ishy swimming free
(wave arms)

I'm a little f-ishy, f-ishy, f-ishy
swimming in the deep blue sea
(wave arms)

I'm a little f- ishy, f-ishy, f-ishy
I'm a little f-ishy swimming free
(wave arms)
*Use the Sea Creatures from the first song
creative-little-apples.com

Activity 3:  Rainbow Fish
Materials:  1 piece of white construction paper, pencil, 1 black marker, water-colors, paint brush, water, glue stick, scissors, 1 small strip of foil, 10 pieces of small cut out construction ovals (use scraps from previous projects), and 1 medium size wiggly eye.

Directions: 

Step 1:  Draw a Fish

Step 2:  First Show the "Rainbow Fish" book to the child.
- Use Descriptive Words
- Water-Color Paint (Does not have to be exact)

Step 3:  Set to Dry.

Step 4:  Read the "Rainbow Fish" by:  Marcus Pfister
- Simple, yet, needed concepts for all, 'Sharing' and 'Friendship'.
- Creative in Nature.
- Soft water-colors with some fun sparkles.

Step 5:  Once completely dry- glue the scales on the fish.

Step 6:  Glue the Wiggly eye and Cut out the fish.

~Enjoy~
Watch Rainbow Fish

Activity 4:  Fish Rock
Materials:  Rocks, Paint, Paintbrushes, and a Black Marker

Directions:

Step 1:  Wash and Dry some Rocks.
Step 2:  Draw a fish on the Rocks.

Step 2. Let the child pick the colors.

Step 3. Have fun Painting

Step 5. Draw your fish over the paint

Activity 5: Sight Word Fishing
Materials: 3 sheets of colored construction paper, paper clips, a stick or child size fishing pole, string, tape, and a magnet.

Directions: 

1. Draw a fish (use this as your template).  Trace the fish on the construction paper.
2. Cut out the fish.
3. Write something that your child is familiar with on the construction paper fish (Sight words, Letters, or numbers)
4. Put the paper-clips onto the fish.
5. Tie the string on one end of the fishing pole or stick.  Tape a small refrigerator magnet on the other end of the string.  Now you're ready.
6. First demonstrate the activity with the child.  Use simple directions:  "This is how we hold the pole" and "This is how we catch the fish"  Remember to allow the child to try it on their own!
7. Ready to Play:  "Can you catch the "go" fish?" Once the fish is caught. "Yay, you caught the 'go' fish!" Then ask, "What fish did you catch?" Let them answer.  *Yes, redundant however, it helps them remember what is on the fish.

Lesson 3:  Sea Shells
Introduction:  Read "Seashells" by:  Ann O. Squire

~ Realistic Pictures both with children and different types of shells.
~ A wonderful cover that depicts the beauty of shells.
~ A resource type of book.
~ Remember to read and discuss.



Activity 1:  Touch and Feel Sea Shells
Materials:  Sea Shells

                           

Directions: 

1. Touch and Feel the Sea Shells
2. Compare the similarities and/or differences.
3. Describe what they feel like.  Help the child use Descriptive words "bumpy", "smooth", "rough", "this one has spikes", etc.

Activity 2:  Sea Shell Art
Materials:  White Construction Paper, Pencil, White or clear color crayon, water-colors, paint brush, and water.

Directions:

Step 1:  Draw a Sea Shell and Sand Dollar with a Pencil.
Step 2:  Trace them over with a White or Clear Color Crayon. 







Step 3:  Water-Color over the crayon using Smooth Strokes.





Mix the water-color lightly and blend with a different color.
Step 4:  Let Dry and Cut out. Enjoy!

Activity 3: Sorting Shells

Materials: Sea Shells

Directions:

Sort the Sea Shells either by shapes, size, and/or color. 

                                    

Activity 4:  Sea Shell Paint

Materials:  Sea Shells, Paint, Paintbrushes, Newspaper, Dried Flowers, old shirt or smock, and Tacky Glue

Directions:

1. Prepare the area - newspaper on the table, little one either in an old shirt or smock, desired paint colors already out.
2. Allow the child to paint whatever he or she desires inside the shell. 
3. Allow to completely dry.
4. Glue a few dried flowers inside the shell. (Not to much- you don't want to completely cover the paint.
5. Allow to completely dry and Enjoy.

Activity 5:  Dye the Shells
Materials:  Food coloring, four small cups, water, and sea shell noodles

Directions:

Step 1:  Four Cup of water. 
Add Two or Three Drops of Food Coloring.

Step 2:  Prepare the Noodles. 
Place 10 Shells in Each Cup.

Step 3:  Leave in the water approximately an Hour.
Do not leave in the water long. They will get soggy!
Drain and Place on a Paper Towel.

Activity 6:  Sea Shell Sea Picture

Materials:  Light Blue Construction paper, Pencil, Sea Shell noodles, crayons, and White Glue

Directions: 

1. Prepare ahead of Time: Draw specific things on the picture that you would like your child to color for example: Yellow crayon for the sun, Blue for the water and Clouds, Green and Red for the fish.
2. Color in the picture
3. Glue the Colored shells onto the picture.
4. Let dry.
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Extra Shells?

Allow the child to Glue and Add Shells

Remember: "Dot-Dot-NOT-A-LOT"
Math: You can ask the child to count... count the red ones, green ones, all of them, etc.

Activity 7:  Sea Shell Treasures

Materials:  Sand and Sea Shells

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Directions: 

1. Hide the Sea Shells in the Sand.
2. Discuss the object of the lesson
3. Discuss, Ask questions, and Describe the Sea Shells "Digging for Sea Shell Treasures" , "What are we looking for?" "How does the sand feel?", "I'm looking for something bumpy.", etc.
4. Have Fun!

Lesson 4:  Dolphins

Read:  'Moon Dance' by:  Christian Reese Lassen

~ Creative.

~ Visually Stimulating

~ Age Appropriate for Various age groups.

~ Intrigues the Art World.

~ The Sparkle pages pulls the reader in within the pages.

~ The artwork is beautiful and real like in nature.

~ The rhyming sentences flow smoothly.    

~ A sparkle fun book.

~ Selected because of the visuals.

Activity 1:  Paint the Dolphin

Materials:  Crayola Paint, Water, Paint Brushes, and a child size smock.

Directions:

1. Have fun painting.
   

Lesson 5:  Whales
Activity 1:  Whale Scoop

Materials:  A Cleaned out Plastic Milk Jug, Permanent Marker, Scissors, Wiggly Eyes, and a Craft Knife.

Directions: 

1. Prepare ahead of time- Clean out the Jug.
2. Draw a large mouth shape on the base of the jug- extend upwards
3. Take the craft knife punch a hole into the jug- where the mouth is.  (Adult only)
4. Cut the mouth lines out.
5. Color in the lips of the mouth.
6. Draw eyes or glue wiggly eyes on.
7. Add a Blow hold on the top.
   

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Draw a Large Whale Mouth



The adult cuts out the whale mouth

Activity 2:  Whale Sock
Materials:  3 or 4 pairs of old clean socks (med. size), one 1-inch red pipe cleaner, 1 blue pipe cleaner, tacky glue, white string, and scissors.


Directions: 

Step 1: Cut two small triangular pieces out of one sock.
Step 2:  Stuff one of socks with the other 3.
Step 3:  Punch one end of the blue pipe cleaner into the top of the sock
- pull it out- do this one more time.  "Blow Hole"
Step 4:  Twist the blue pipe cleaner inside of the sock.
Step 5:  Tie the End of the Sock with the White String "The Tail"

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Step 6:  Glue the red pipe cleaner for the mouth, the eyes, and the triangle fins on the side.
~Enjoy!

Lesson 6:  Sea Creatures

Read:  "Gentle Giant Octopus" by: Karen Wallace

~ A simple story.
~ The illustrations are large and graceful.

Activity 1:  Octopus Craft

Materials:  One Cleaned out empty small yogurt cup, 10 strips of 6-inch tissue paper (5 white and 5 blue), glue stick , scissors, ruler, 1 two-inch strip of blue construction paper, two hole-punch brown circles or two wiggly eyes, 1 blue circle (trace the bottom of the cup), and tacky glue.

Directions: 

Step 1:  Prepare the Supplies

Step 2:  Glue the Blue Strip around the Cup

Step 3:  Cut little snips on the excess paper.

Step 4:  Glue the Paper Down.

Step 5:  Glue the Blue Circle on the Top

Step 6:  Glue the Blue Tissue Paper on the Inside
The White on the Outside of the rim.

Step 6:  Glue the Eyes on and Make a Mouth.

Enjoy!

  

Activity 2:  Read and Discuss "Oceans Alive:  Octopuses" by: Ann Herriges 


~ A Reference style book. 

~ Compare and Contrast the Previous Octopus's Books and Pictures.

Activity 3:  Paper Bag Octopus
Materials: 1 paper bag, 2 large wiggly eyes, glue stick, string, 1-inch red pipe cleaner, scissors, and newspaper.

Directions: 

Step 1:  Prepare the Materials

Step 2:  Color the Bag

Step 3:  Stuff the Bag with Newspaper

Step 4:  Tie a String around the middle.
Cut 8 strips in the bottom of the bag and draw 4 dark ovals on each strip "suckers"

Step 5:  Add the wiggly eyes and mouth.
Have a Fun Time With This Activity!

Activity 5:  The Jellyfish

Read:  ~ "Jellyfish and Other Stingers" by: Joseph K. Brennan

~ Another reference style book.

~ Depending on the child's age the material inside will need to be modified.

~ Explaining the pictures will guide the child.

~ Jellyfish Craft

Materials:  Jellyfish Picture, 6 Strips of 6-inch tissue paper (3 wavy and 3 straight), scissors, water-color paint, paint brushes, and a glue stick

Directions: 

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Step 1:  Prepare the Picture

Step 1:  Prepare the Materials

Step 2:  Water-Color, Let Dry, then, Cut Out.

Step 3: Glue the Tissue Paper in the order the child desires.

Activity 4:  Starfish

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Read: "Starfish" by: Edith Thacher Hurd
~ Gentle Illustrations that mix well with the water-color art.
~ A story that flows well with the visuals.










~  Starfish Craft

Materials:  White Construction Paper, Elmers Puffy Glitter Glue, Black Markers, Cheerios, Crayons, and Regular White Glue

Directions: 

1. Draw a Starfish with the black marker. (Does not have to be perfect)
2. Color the starfish.
3. Trace with the child using the Puffy Glue around the black areas.
4. Glue the Cheerios on and Let Dry.
5. Cut Out and Hang.
   

   
   

   

Activity 5: The Crab
Read: "A House for Hermit Crab" by Eric Carle

~ Yes, another fun Eric Carle book!
~ The story inside gives the crab a human like personality regarding finding a home in addition to making new friends.
~ The visuals flow well with the story






~Making a Crab
Materials:  One cleaned out yogurt cup, eight 6-inch strips of red or orange construction paper, crayola paint, paint brush, newspaper, two small wiggly eyes, tape, two 1-inch pipe cleaners (red or orange), child size smock or old t-shirt, and a craft knife (adult use only!)

Directions:

1. Prepare the painting area.
2. Paint the outside of the yogurt cup.  ( We used orange because we ran out of red- still worked :)! )
3. Set aside to dry.
4. Fold the strips of paper back and forth.
5. Cut out 8 claw like mittens.
6. Glue the claws on the end of the strips of paper.

Another Option:
- Use a 1/2 of a Styrofoam Ball
- Paint Red
- 8 Red Pipe Cleaners for Legs-
stick them in on the sides.
- Bend the End of the Pipe Cleaners
for the Claws.
- 2 Red Pipe Cleaners on Top
- Glue the Wiggly Eyes on the
Pipe Cleaners.

   7.  (Adult) Cut two small holes on the top of the cup.
   8.  Punch in the pipe cleaners. 
   9.  Inside the cup- fold the pipe cleaners down.
  10.  Glue the eyes on the top of the pipe cleaners.