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Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity

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This adorable shark and oceans for kindergarten fun sight word activity is such a fun activity for practicing sight words, letters, or even numbers. Also, grab my other tips, ideas, and crafts for kindergarten on my page Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum and look for ideas on my page Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook.

Do you need a learning activity that feels more like play and less like school?

For example, how about one that is themed to go along with a study of oceans for kindergarten?

I’m sharing a list of other helpful resources to round out your day like videos and hands-on activities.

Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity

Our shark is made from just one piece of foam board and a little paint.

It will give your child hours of learning that is fun and memorable.

Creating an activity that feels more like play is a great way to teach your child basic skills that they need to learn.

I created this activity to be used with sight word recognition but then realized that there were so many more possibilities with it.

You can have your child also feed the shark letters, numbers, and sums to orally given math problems, or have them choose the math problem that matches the number you give, and have them feed cards with rhyming words, and beginning letter sounds.

It can be a blank canvas for learning skills, anywhere your early learner is.

8 Awesome Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Facts

  1. There are over 500 different species of sharks, and almost 150 of them are listed on the at-threat list.
  2. The largest sea mammal, the blue whale, is also known as the largest animal in the world.
  3. Sharks live in almost all ocean habitats from tropical coral reefs to the Arctic, and down in the deep parts of the seas.
  4. Sharks are apex predators, which means that they are at the very top of the food chain with very few to no predators.
  5. Most sharks are cold-blooded, but a few are warm-blooded, like the great white shark for instance.
  6. Here is a super gross fact about marine animals that kids will love. Lobsters pee out of their faces, and they pee on each other to communicate. (Their urine nozzles are located under their eyes).
  7. Octopuses have three hearts. Two of those hearts move blood beyond the animal’s gills, and the third heart keeps circulation moving for the organs.
  8. Dolphins can sleep with one eye open and with one-half of their brain in use.

Then, hands-on activities to teach kindergarten is the best way for children to learn.

Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity

Look at some hands-on activities below to learn about sharks and oceans.

 More Activities For Shark & Oceans for Kindergarten

Include a great book as a resource for your child to look at that has great illustrations and information.

Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity

I think Oceans Anatomy by Julia Rothman is a must-have addition to your science stack.

Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity

Everything is included in this book, from ocean tides to shark sizes, and sea grass to small and large ocean creatures.

More Kindergarten Homeschool Resources

Also, add some of these fun books and resources to learning about sharks and oceans.

Kindergarten Ocean Unit Study Resources

Add a fun ocean unit study resource for kindergarten to your study for the day.

Finally, look how to make this fun feed the shark activity to use for learning.

Shark & Oceans for Kindergarten Sight Word Activity – Feed The Shark

Supplies needed:

  • Foam board
  • Grey and black craft paint
  • pencil
  • Scissors or straight-edge razor
Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity

Using a pencil, lightly trace a shark head shape using most of the board.

Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity

Cut out one side and flip it to the other side of the board matching up the corner.

Next, trace it so that both sides match exactly and set these pieces aside. We’re going to use them later.

Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity

Use sharp scissors or a straight-edge blade to cut around the top of the shark’s head.

Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity

Then, draw an open mouth in the middle that is flatter across the bottom with an arch at the top.

Cut this out and set it to the side.

Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity

Paint the border of your shark gray and paint a thin black border around the mouth. Allow the paint to dry completely.

Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity

Too, while the paint is drying, take the excess piece from the mouth and cut a bunch of triangles for the shark’s teeth.

Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity

Once the paint is dry, hot glue teeth on the back side of the shark’s mouth on top and bottom.

Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity

Paint eyes on either side of the head.

Flip the board over and take the two scrap pieces you cut off in the second step, hot glue them on either side of the opening.

Be sure they are both lined up with the bottom as these will serve as your stand.

Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity

Now, for the activity itself, you can either make cards with your sight words, letters, numbers, or whatever you want to work on, or use purchased flashcards.

Additionally, you can also use alphabet magnets, scrabble tiles, or whatever else you already have to work with.

Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity

Moreover, spread a few out on the floor and call them out to your child, who then picks up the corresponding card and “feeds the shark”.

Easy, fun, and enjoyably repetitive, this activity will help sharpen skills and create a memorable learning experience.

Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity

Learn How to Make an Easy Jellyfish Lights Craft

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today we’re making a jellyfish lights crafts. Also, look at my page Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook.

Learn how to make this easy jellyfish lights craft with just a few inexpensive supplies and learn a lot about the life and characteristics of the fascinating jellyfish at the same time.

This is a great way to incorporate a hands-on activity that is fun and themed for summer learning into your day.

Learn How to Make an Easy Jellyfish Lights Craft

Your jellyfish can be as small or large as you like.

Upcycle empty fruit cups or use large plastic clear bowls from the party section to create an entire swarm.

Then use your child’s creation to teach them how to identify the anatomy, learn jellyfish vocabulary, and terminology, as well as create an adorable ocean craft for decoration.

Hands-On Activities-Easy Jellyfish Lights Craft

Ocean Anatomy was the perfect book for our easy jellyfish lights craft.

There is so much to learn in just a few pages.

You can reference it for the life cycle of a jellyfish, the anatomy of a jellyfish, facts, and a quick blurb on 5 different types of jellyfish.  

The watercolor illustrations and tidbits of information are wonderful for reference.

Learn How to Make an Easy Jellyfish Lights Craft
  • Make these fun Jellyfish in a Jar to observe their movement.
  • This stunning wooden Jellyfish Puzzle would make a wonderful hands-on activity as well as a keepsake for the whole family, especially middle to high school ages.

Jellyfish Facts

  • A group of jellyfish is known as a swarm or a bloom, which can contain millions of jellyfish and spread out over 10 square miles.
  • Jellyfish are not really fish or made of jelly, they are made of 95% water and classified as invertebrates from the phylum Cnidaria.
  • There are at least 2000 different species of jellyfish and they come in a wide range of shapes and colors like pink, white, yellow, orange, green, and blue, as well as multicolored.
  • They have no brain and no heart.
  • Jellyfish eat and poop from the same spot.
  • While some are tiny, the lion’s mane jellyfish can stretch its tentacles as long as 120 feet.

Challenge your child to create more than one jellyfish species.

Learn How to Make an Easy Jellyfish Lights Craft

Get creative using other craft supplies to make each one as unique as their real counterparts.

I was able to find everything I used at Dollar Tree, but you may already have most of it around the house.

More Ocean Themed Activities

And add Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity.

Learn How to Make an Easy Jellyfish Lights Craft

Moreover, look at some of these books and fun resources to learn about jellyfish.

7 Books and Resources about Jellyfish

Add some of these books and resources to your study of jellyfish.

Finally, look how to make this fun jellyfish light craft.

Easy Jellyfish Light Craft

You will need:

  • Push light (or battery-operated tea light)
  • Clear plastic bowls or cups
  • Tissue paper
  • Ribbon
  • Hot glue gun/ stick
  • school glue

You want to make sure that your light fits inside of your bowl.

The tea lights fit everything, but they put out less light than the little tap light I used (from Dollar Tree).

First, place your bowl upside down and paint the outside with a full coat of watered-down school glue or use mod podge.

Learn How to Make an Easy Jellyfish Lights Craft

Cover with tissue paper in whatever color you like and press firmly into the glue. You can add multiple layers, but I like the translucent look.

Learn How to Make an Easy Jellyfish Lights Craft

“Paint” another coat of glue all over the top of the tissue paper to seal it well. Press the paper until it is mostly smooth. Allow it to dry.

Learn How to Make an Easy Jellyfish Lights Craft

Once it is completely dry you can rip off or cut the excess tissue paper left on the edges.

Flip the bowl over and glue the light into place on the inside.

I used a generous amount of hot glue and only secured the back so that I could twist off the front to change out the batteries.

You could also secure your light with adhesive velcro strips for easy removal.

Learn How to Make an Easy Jellyfish Lights Craft

Cut 2 or more types of ribbon to the same length, ruffled or shimmer ribbon is fun with the lights and resembles the tentacles more.

Learn How to Make an Easy Jellyfish Lights Craft

Hot glue the ribbon just inside the edge of the bowl all the way around.

Learn How to Make an Easy Jellyfish Lights Craft

If you want to, add a little detail to the body with markers or watercolor paint.

Finally, to hang your jellyfish, make a little loop on top with some of your leftover ribbons and secure it with hot glue.

How fun and simple was this easy jellyfish lights craft?

Learn How to Make an Easy Jellyfish Lights Craft

How to Make A Megalodon Shark Tooth Fun Homeschool Project

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Learn how to make a megalodon shark tooth homeschool project. Also, look for more ideas on my page Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook.

Megalodon Day is celebrated on June 15 to celebrate one of the largest predators ever known on Earth.

So, because I have a megalodon shark homeschool project to share with you as well as a host of other fun things. 

How to Make A Megalodon Shark Tooth Fun Homeschool Project

If you have a shark or prehistoric creature-loving kid, they are going to enjoy this activity and the other ideas to go along with it.

Not only is it a great science project but it also works in an element of art, math, and research skills.

Like much of homeschooling, a good hands-on activity is fun and covers a multitude of subjects.

Megalodon Day Facts

  • The scientific name for the megalodon is Otodus megalodon.
  • The word megalodon comes from the Greek language and means “giant tooth.”
  • The megalodon bite was thought to be 3 times stronger than a T Rex bite, with a grin of 10 feet wide.
  • Megalodons are estimated to have been 40 to 60 feet in length and weighed 50 to 75 tons.
  • They have found fossil remains of the megalodon off the coast of every continent except Antarctica.
  • Studies done between megalodon, and great white teeth have led scientists to believe that they are closely related and also assume their body shape (though not size) was similar.
  • Since sharks don’t have any bones to examine most of what we know about the ancient megalodon comes from its large fossil teeth.

Then, look at some of these resources.

Megalodon Shark Resources

Add some of these fun Megalodon shark resources to your unit study.

More Hands-On Shark Homeschool Activities

How to Make A Megalodon Shark Tooth Fun Homeschool Project

Finally, look at how to make a megalodon shark tooth.

Megalodon Shark Tooth Homeschool Project

Before starting, look in one of your books or online to get an idea of the shape and coloring of a Megalodon tooth. This helps give a good idea of just how massive a single tooth is.

You will need:

  • Air-Dry Clay
  • Craft paints
  • Paintbrushes
  • Clay roller or rolling pin
  • Toothpicks, craft sticks
  • Ruler
How to Make A Megalodon Shark Tooth Fun Homeschool Project

Begin by pulling off a sizable piece of clay, we will try to get our megalodon tooth close to 7” long.

How to Make A Megalodon Shark Tooth Fun Homeschool Project

Then, forming your shape, we are going for something roughly the shape of a piece of pizza.

Add clay as needed and work it in smoothing it with your fingers.

How to Make A Megalodon Shark Tooth Fun Homeschool Project

This is a great time to pull out your ruler and have your child measure to get the size right, somewhere between 6” and 7 ⅜” (the largest ever found).

How to Make A Megalodon Shark Tooth Fun Homeschool Project

Once you have your general size and shape roll it out to smooth the lumps.

How to Make a Megalodon Shark Tooth

Add a little build-up to the broader end, this is the root, where it would have been inside the shark’s jaw. Smooth with fingers to make it look like a natural transition.

How to Make A Megalodon Shark Tooth Fun Homeschool Project

Before allowing it to dry, add some aging and wear marks like pits and grooves using whatever you have on hand- the backend of your paint brushes, toothpicks, craft sticks, and etc.

Maybe there is a small piece missing out of one edge where he fought with another megalodon?

How to Make A Megalodon Shark Tooth Fun Homeschool Project

Allow to dry, this may take a couple of days, be sure to turn it every 12 hours or so to help it dry more thoroughly. If you place it outside in a sunny spot it will dry fast, be sure to lay it flat so that it dries flat.

Once your tooth is completely dry make a palette of different paint colors like black, white, tan, and gray on a paper plate.

How to Make A Megalodon Shark Tooth Fun Homeschool Project

Paint each section of the tooth and allow it to dry, you only need one thin coat.

If you want your replica megalodon tooth to last even longer give it a couple coats with a clear spray sealant.

How to Make A Megalodon Shark Tooth Fun Homeschool Project

Free Peregrine Falcon Lapbook And Fun Unit Study Ideas

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a free Peregrine Falcon lapbook. Too, look at my Peregrine Falcons Unit Study and my lapbook ideas,

The Peregrine Falcon was almost extinct in the 1960s.

The Peregrine Falcon is an endangered species but can dwell in cities.

Additionally, the falcon is a common bird of prey which also includes eagles and hawks.

Free Peregrine Falcon Lapbook And Fun Unit Study Ideas

A bird of prey is a hunting bird.

And the Peregrine Falcon is the most common falcon.

However, there are more species of falcons.

There are the:

  • American Krestel
  • Merlin
  • Prairie Falcon
  • Collared Forest Falcon

Too, look at some of these facts about falcons.

More Peregrine Falcons Facts

  • The adults have blue-gray wings with dark brown backs.
  • And they are 16 to 19 inches long,
  • Their name comes from the Latin word peregrinus, which means “one from abroad” or “to wander.”
  • Females are slightly larger than the males.
  • Beaks are slate blue.
  • Flight speed can be more than 60 mph.
  • They have long pointed wings.
  • Juveniles are marked with vertical streaks instead of horizontal bars on the breast.
  • When falcons catch birds in a fast dive in the air it’s called a stoop.
  • Besides dwelling in cities, they can nest and perch on cliffs and other tall structures.
Free Peregrine Falcon Lapbook And Fun Unit Study Ideas

Next, add some of these vocabulary words to your unit study.

Vocabulary Words – Peregrine Falcon

  • endangered species – an animal or plant at risk of becoming extinct
  • raptor – a bird of prey; a bird that obtains food through the use of force
  • prey – an animal hunted by another for food
  • talon – the claw of a bird of prey
  • scientific name – Falco peregrinus
  • eyrie (pronounced I Ree) – the nest of a bird of prey usually on a high cliff or other tower
  • ornithologist – a biologist who studies birds
  • tiercel – the name for the male
  • clutch – set of eggs
  • Anatum – Latin for “eater or killer of ducks”. The common name in North America for the Peregrine Falcon used to be Duck Hawk.
  • ecosystem – all living and nonliving things in an area that interacts
  • raptor – From a Latin origin meaning “to grasp or seize”.
  • falconry – An ancient sport of using a trained raptor to hunt.
  • thermal – An ascending current of air caused by heat.

Also, look at some of the history of falconry.

Free Peregrine Falcon Lapbook And Fun Unit Study Ideas

History of Falconry

The use of falcons for hunting was developed around 2,000 B.C. in central Asia.

And by the twelfth century A.D., falconry was widely practiced throughout Europe.

Pictorial records and wall hangings show falconers with birds on their wrists in Arabia and Persia.

Falconry is an art.

It requires long hours, constant devotion, finesse, subtlety and skill. The falconer must train a bird of prey to fly free, hunt for a human being and then accept a return to captivity.

Free Peregrine Falcon Lapbook And Fun Unit Study Ideas

More Bird Resources and Activities

Also, study birds with these other activities and resources.

And you’ll love these books.

Bird Of Prey and Peregrine Falcon Resources

Add these books and resources to your unit study about bird of prey or peregrine falcons.

More Best Homeschool Unit Studies

Peregrine Falcons Free Minibooks

Moreover, here are the minibooks included in the download. I find that they are jumping off points for subtopics I covered in the unit study.

  • 2 Birds of Prey Cover pages for the outside of the lapbook
  • Hawks and Falcons Birds of Prey
  • Did You Know . .
  • Anatomy of Peregrine Falcon
  • Falconry – An Ancient Sport
  • Mating and Nesting
  • Prey of Falcon
  • Types of Falcon
  • Natures Finest Flying Machine
  • Vocabulary Words Pocket/Illustration
  • Where Do Falcons Live

How to Get the Free Peregrine Falcon 20 Page Lapbook

Now, how to grab the free lapbook. This is a subscriber freebie.

 1) Sign up on my list.
2) Grab the freebie instantly.
3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Your kids will love this fun blow painting coral reef hands-on activity. Also, grab more ideas on my Coral Reef page.

Too, June 1st marks World Reef Day, a day that is a call for everyone to reflect on our beautiful coral reefs as well as come to action to protect and preserve them.

Even if you have never visited them in person, you have surely seen their beauty in pictures or videos.

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

I have a beautiful craft project to share with you which is coral reef blow painting.

It is a unique and fun activity for the kids to make and is a beautiful piece of artwork to hang up in your home as well.

This project is so fun you will probably want to make one yourself.

Coral reefs are important to us because:

  • they hold an abundance of life,
  • reefs protect coastlines from storms and erosion,
  • provide jobs for the community around them,
  • they are a source of food and medicine,
  • and are a source of recreation for those who wish to appreciate them up close.

10 World Coral Reef Day Facts

Next, look at some facts to remember on world coral reef day.

  1. The NOAA estimates that over 75% of the world’s reefs are currently threatened, and within the next 10 years, 90% of reefs will be threatened by human activities.
  2. The biggest threat to coral is climate change.
  3. Corals are animals, not plants, and are the cousins of marine animals like jellyfish and sea anemones.
  4. Corals can move. Adult coral is attached to the ocean floor but larval or baby coral can swim to find a spot to set down anchor.
  5. Coral supports 25% of ocean life, it is much like an underwater forest.
  6. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system on Earth.
  7. Like trees, coral has growth rings inside that can help determine the age of the coral.
  8. There are over 800 different types of hard coral around the world.
  9. Coral reefs only grow up to a certain water depth which is about 200 to 300 feet.
  10. Corals eat 2 different ways- either by capturing zooplankton that floats near their polyp tentacles or by their symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae.

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

Then look at ways to protect coral reefs.

4 Ways Kids Can Preserve Coral Reefs

1. Choose Reef Friendly Sun Protection.

Many sunscreens hurt the coral reefs causing coral bleaching and stopping its development.

Instead of using sunscreen made with toxic chemicals, focus on practicing sun management cover-up, avoiding the sun during peak hours.

And opt for non-nano mineral-based sunscreen on exposed areas. These sunscreens are made with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.

2. Recycle And Dispose Of Trash Properly.

You may think tossing just one water bottle from the boat isn’t a big deal, but imagine millions of people doing that, or carelessly leaving trash on the beach.

These actions have big impacts on marine life including corals.

3. Research When Purchasing Aquarium Fish.  

Avoid buying living coral instead look for imitation corals, if you purchase a marine aquarium fish, make sure that it has been collected in a sustainable way.

4. Spread the Word.

Especially if you live anywhere near these precious coral reefs, you can work together with local groups to educate everyone on how important and precious they are.

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

You can find a lot of information online but here are a few books that I highly recommend you use for ocean studies; they both contain a good amount of information on coral reefs as well as the marine animals that make their home there.

More Coral Reef Ideas

Also, look at these resources for studying coral reefs.

Coral Reef Unit Study Resources

Add some of these coral reef unit study resources to your unit study.

Finally, look how to make this blow painting coral reef hands-on activity.

Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

You will need:

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

Cut straws in half to make it a little easier to blow through and direct your watercolors.

Place a sheet of watercolor paper onto a baking sheet, this can get a little messy.

Using a pipette or small paintbrush drop various sized dots of the liquid watercolor all over the bottom of the page, or you can fill the entire page for a closer up view of the coral reef.

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

Have your child blow through the straw spreading the watercolor droplets around.

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

You may wish to repeat and add more “limbs” or new coral once you see the white space.

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

I like to let some of it dry and do the dots again to create different shades and give it a little depth.

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

Allow it to dry.

Lightly add a watered-down wash of light blue onto all the white space if you like to create water.

Let your picture dry completely.

Younger children will probably want to stop here, and that is totally fine but challenge your older children to add more detail. To do this they can trace around each dried shape with a fine liner black pen to define them a bit more.

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

They can also use markers to add some fish in the painting. Use your books or Google for inspiration.

Once completely dry, lay your painted page under a couple heavy books for several hours to press the paper flat.

Create several paintings, each one will be completely unique just like the beautiful coral in the ocean.

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity