ocean

Seashore Beach Watching Unit Study and Seashore Lapbook

August 25, 2023 | 5 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have a seashore beach lapbook and unit study. Grab more ideas on my lapbook ideas page and on my best homeschool unit studies page.

I can smell the beach from here! Okay, maybe not where I live now, but I feel that way since I grew up with the beach a short 30 minute drive. And we never missed a chance to go to it.

We would cook crab or gumbo, spend hours on the shoreline and build a fire.

Seashore Watching Unit Study and Beach Lapbook

Seashore watching was an activity I loved as a kid and I made sure my kids knew about it. I think you’ll love these ideas for a seashore watching unit study.

Super Seashore Watching Unit Study and Beach Lapbook. Whether you want to study the beach or seashore in the summer or winter, your kids will love this free super seashore watching unit study and free beach lapbook along with hands-on activities! CLICK HERE to grab it!

Note: My Seashore Lapbook was free for a limited time.

I gathered up several activities that I think you’ll love for an easy homeschool seashore watching unit study and then I have an easy lapbook about things you can find along the beach shoreline.

Seashore Beach Watching Unit Study and Seashore Lapbook

Like most all of my unit study resources I share multiple ages links so you can pick and choose links for your kids.

This one is no different. I have resources for kids from Prek to High School.

Seashore Kids Activities

Too, we love and used this book, Seashore Watcher, as a guide because we love it.

Also did I mention it has some easy hands-on activities in it also.

Super Seashore Watching Unit Study and Beach Lapbook

I loved the fact that the book came with a plastic water protector cover so you could pick up and go to the beach. It’s the little things that amuse me.

More Seashore and Beach Activities for Kids

Seashore Lesson Plans, Printables, and Activities

Monterey Bay Aquarium, Curriculum preK-12, tide pools, crabs; claws and shells, beach in a pan to name a few you’ll love.
70 page pdf tidepool guide.
Tide pool discovery.

Common seashore plants.
SeaCrets of tide pools.
Life at the seashore curriculum.

What the Sea Saw teacher’s guide.
Life on the Beach guide.
New Zealand Rocky Shore activities. Many can be used here in the states too.
Planning a trip to the seashore checklist.

(You can see why I loved this book, Seashore Watcher for an easy unit study. It has easy hands-on ideas.)

Seashore Watching Media

Decorator Crabs Make High Fashion at Low Tide | Deep Look
Seaweeds powerpoint.

Seashore Watching Hands-on Activities

Make a ceramic starfish.
Fun coloring pages. Common seashore creatures.
Seaweed art.
Motion from the ocean fish mobile.
21 fun and active games for kids to play on the beach.

How waves affect beaches hands-on activity
25+ Beach Learning Activities to Build Background Knowledge Before Your Beach Trip.
15 Seashore Inspired Kid Crafts.

Also, you’ll love this seashore lapbook.

Dynamic Seashore Lapbook for Multiple Ages
$3.00 Add to cart

Also, this is not our first time studying about the beach and ocean life.

You’ll love our hands-on edible geography where we made the tidal zones and edible ocean layers. (yum)

You’ll love my free ocean unit study lapbook and free coral reef lapbooks.

.

Note: My Seashore Lapbook was free for a limited time.

Free Super Seashore Watching Unit Study and Beach Lapbook

Look at these other links:

30+ Summer Activities for Middle School Kids
A to Z List: 100 Fun Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
Homeschooling Through the Summer with My Highschooler
Seashells by the Seashore | Notebooking Pages from Jenny at Faith & Good Works
10 Nature Discoveries on the Sandy Shore from Eva at Eva Varga
Turtle in the Sea Online Book Club from Dachelle at Hide the Chocolate

How to Create a Hands-on Fun Shark Vocabulary Anatomy Activity

August 20, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a fun way to learn anatomy shark vocabulary. Also, look at this Shark Unit Study for more fun ideas.

You do not need to grab expensive box curriculums or load your learner down with tons of worksheets. They can learn so much with things like this shark vocabulary hands-on anatomy activity.

I thought this activity would be just in time for celebrating International Whale Shark Day on August 30th.

Yes, a whale shark is a shark, not a whale.

How to Create a Hands-on Fun Shark Vocabulary Anatomy Activity

I used a great book for reference, a few plastic shark toys, and a sheet of cardstock to create a simple activity that can be used over and over to help teach about sharks from snout to caudal fin.

This activity is easily adaptable for older and younger children by adding more or less of the anatomy words to be labeled.

Too, changing up the type of vocabulary words like choosing species, layers of the ocean that you might find each shark, etc. will increase the depth of facts to introduce.

Shark Vocabulary Anatomy

One resource I reach for time and again is Ocean Anatomy by Julia Rothman.

When thumbing through it I found this great shark anatomy page that gave me a great idea for an activity.

This book is not a one-hit wonder though, besides the anatomy diagram there is information on their teeth, eating habits, size, and different species of sharks.

That is just the information on sharks, there is literally a whole ocean of information in the book.

We are also adding in some typing skills by having children do as much of the activity as possible from start to finish.

Below you will find a couple shark vocabulary lists to choose for them to create their own anatomy or species labels.

Shark Anatomy Words

Nostril
Eye
Mouth
Spiracle
First Dorsal Fin
Second Dorsal Fin
Precaudil Pit
Caudal Fin
Caudal Keel
Anal Fin
Pelvic Fin
Pectoral Fin
Gill Openings
Gill arch
Backbone/Spine

Shark Species

Also, look at these species of sharks.

Lemon
Great White
Mako
Tiger
Whale
Leopard
Hammerhead
Nurse
Black Tip

Then, add some shark books and fun hands-on resources about sharks while learning about the anatomy of sharks.

Homeschool Shark Unit Study Resources

Add one or two of these fun shark books and resources to your study about sharks.

Sharks! (Animal Planet Chapter Books #1)

Dive inside the world of sharks with this guide to the most incredible creatures in the sea. Photographically illustrated chapters highlight kid-favorite species such as Great Whites and Hammerheads, with a focus on behavior, senses, breeding, and feeding. Sharks! is the perfect overview for developing readers ready to explore this popular animal subject on their own. Special features include full-color photography throughout, "Meet the Scientist" sidebars, and "In Your Newsfeed" articles about amazing new discoveries.

DKfindout! Sharks

Supporting STEM-based learning, this fact-filled book for shark aficionados ages 6–9 is the ultimate guide to sharks, from hammerheads to great whites. Entertaining and educating young readers through a combination of close-up images, quirky trivia facts, quiz questions, and fascinating tidbits, it’s the perfect book for any kid who can’t get enough of these ferocious fish.

Professor Noggin's Life in The Ocean Trivia Card Game

PLAY & LEARN: Professor Noggin’s series of educational card games encourages kids to learn interesting facts about their favorite subjects.

FUN FACTS: Explore underwater and learn about the amazing creatures in the sea. Discover facts about common mammals, plants and other Life in the Ocean.

Sharks Top Trumps Card Game

Find out if the Nurse Shark or the Tiger Shark is the most mysterious, or if the Spiny Dogfish Shark or the Whale Shark has been involved in the most incidents

Bag of Genuine Shark Teeth - Fossilized

30+ genuine (broken) fossilized shark teeth from Morocco! These are broken and partial teeth fossils! Each bag will have about 2-3 small full shark teeth, the other teeth will be broken and chipped!

LEGO Creator 3in1 Deep Sea Creatures Shark

This sea creatures toy building set features 3 sea animal figures: a scary shark, a posable crab with a box of treasure and a wide-mouthed Angler Fish

The dark-blue and white colored toy shark figure has an opening mouth, pointy teeth, posable fins, movable body joints and reflective eyes

Eyewitness Kits Shark Casting Kit

Fun
Educational
Learn While Having Fun
Comes With Everything You Need
PerfectCast 5 Times Stronger Than Plaster

Sharks 100 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

100 Piece Puzzle

Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Julia Rothman’s best-selling illustrated Anatomy series takes a deep dive into the wonders of the sea with Ocean Anatomy. Follow Rothman’s inquisitive mind and perceptive eye along shorelines, across the open ocean, and below the waves for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. Through her drawings, discover how the world’s oceans formed, why the sea is salty, and the forces behind oceanic phenomena such as rogue waves. Colorful anatomical profiles of sea creatures from crustacean to cetacean, surveys of seafaring vessels and lighthouses, and the impact of plastic and warming water temperatures are just part of this compendium of curiosities that will entertain and educate readers of all ages.

6PC Realistic Shark Figurines Set

✔ SHARK FIGURINES BIG PARTY - Includes whale shark, hammerhead shark, tiger shark, blue shark, mako shark, zebra shark. Totally includes 6 sharks figurines. Kids would like to spend more time to observe and play with them.

✔ REALISTIC EMULATIONAL DETAILS - This sea animal figures set was made by hand painted with high realistically detailed appearance, cute face and childish eyes. Their uniquely molded textures and richly painted details make the animals vivid. And all the animal figures stands up very well, they do not fall over. Children would like to spend more time to observe and play with them.

Additionally, look at more ideas for learning about sharks.

More Activities to Learn About Sharks

Finally, look at this fun way to learn shark anatomy vocabulary.

Shark Vocabulary Anatomy Activity

You will need:

Oceans Anatomy
or Shark Anatomy Diagram
Cardstock
Plastic shark figures
Small basket

First, for older children, have them type (or write) all the shark vocabulary words from the list. Then print it out on cardstock. Cut out each word and place it in a basket.

Add a few plastic sharks that have enough detail that your child will be able to find each of the words.

You will want something close to 6” or larger so there is enough room to put down all the labels.

Give them the book or a printout of shark anatomy to use as a reference.

Now your child can use the words to label each part of the shark.

To make it harder after they initially label each part you can remove some of the words and see if they can recall what is missing.

For example, cover the words on the diagram one by one until they know all the parts, or close the book together and see how many they can get on their own.

For younger children, you could simplify it by only giving them a few words like snout, nostril, eye, dorsal fin, mouth, and caudal fin.

Also, you can use shark species as another type of vocabulary to learn.

In the same manner as above, type up some species to match the sharks you already have or print out photos of them.

Let your child match the name with the correct shark.

These small sharks offer a variety and are great for labeling species but would be too small for the anatomy activity.

5 Tide Pool Facts and Create An Edible Tide Pool Diorama Ideas

July 20, 2023 | Leave a Comment
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I have five tide pool facts and you’ll love these edible tide pool diorama ideas. Also, look at this free Seashore Watching Unit Study and Beach Lapbook.

Not every diorama has to be cardboard. You’ll love these edible tide pool diorama Ideas that make a tasty new way to learn.

We are creating our own sea creatures that are found in a tide pool with moldable candy, add some fish, and top it with beautiful ocean water.

People love to visit tide pools when the tide is low to observe the fish and other sea life that is contained within, and every tide pool is a unique micro-habitat that is filled with life.

5 Tide Pool Facts and Create An Edible Tide Pool Diorama Ideas

A tide pool is an isolated water pocket that is formed in the ocean’s intertidal zone.

It is made when seawater gets trapped in shallow depressions along the shore as the tide recedes.

This can be on rocky ledges, sandy beaches, and even mudflats.

5 Tide Pool Facts

Tide pools can be anywhere from a few inches to several feet deep and are a living petri dish of sea life with- snails, sea stars, barnacles, mussels, anemones, urchins, crustaceans, seaweed, and small fish.
As ocean water flows outside the tide pool during low tide, the creatures are exposed to long hours in the sun, low oxygen levels, and warmer water temps, not to mention hungry wading birds. The creatures that live in the tide pool must cling fiercely to the rocks.
On the other hand, the waves at high tide bring in fresh nutrients and microscopic organisms, such as plankton making nourishment plentiful for them to keep the cycle going.
The water in tide pools can change temperature significantly because the volume of water is small.
Most marine organisms don’t have to deal with large temperature fluctuations; intertidal organisms do.

Also, look at these books about tide pools.

Tide Pool Resources

Books and resources about tide pools for kids. Add one or two of these books to your unit study.

Tide Pool Secrets

Lift the flaps and discover the many hidden creatures of the tide pool.At first glance, there’s nothing much to see . . . but tide pools are full of secrets. What creatures can be found nestling among the rocks and hiding in the seaweed? Dive into these mysterious seashore habitats and learn how to spot the creatures concealed within. With big, easy-to-lift flaps and a glossary of the tide pool’s inhabitants, Narelle Oliver’s lush underwater primer introduces young readers to the wonders just waiting to be revealed in the tide pools of the world.

Life In A Tide Pool

The series Life in a Tide Pool explores the fascinating world of tide pools. Tide pools occur in rocky locations where the ocean meets the land. This zone is covered by water and exposed to air periodically throughout the day. The series explores the types of marine life that live in this harsh environment and looks at how these animals can survive.

National Geographic Readers: Tide Pools (L1)

Bright starfish, spiky sea anenomes, sea cucumbers, mussels, and colorful fish! Peek into these vibrant shoreline pools and discover amazing ocean habitats teeming with life!

Packed with beautiful and engaging photos, this new leveled reader will teach kids how tide pools work, what kinds of animals live in them, and even how to prepare for a tide pool visit of their own.

With expert-vetted text, brilliant images, and a fun approach to reading, National Geographic Readers have proved to be a winning formula with kids, parents, and educators. Level 1 text is carefully leveled for an early independent reading or read aloud experience, perfect to encourage the scientists and explorers of tomorrow!

What's in the Tide Pool?

What would you see if you sat at the edge of a tidepool, looked into the water and watched the changes taking place in this little world? What life would you discover there? In a charming hand-sized book, Anne Hunter illustrates the creatures that live in and around a tidepool, and describes each animal's characteristics and habits. The gorgeous artwork and simple sense of wonder will inspire children to explore their environment. Fans of Hunter’s two books, WHAT'S IN THE POND? and WHAT'S UNDER THE LOG? will want to add this new title to their collection.

Life in a Tide Pool (Rookie Read-About Science)

Explains how tidal pools form and the types of plants and animals that inhabit them

At Home in the Tide Pool

AT HOME IN THE TIDE POOL looks at the creatures and plants found in the mysterious and wonderful world of the tide pool. Children will be fascinated by the amazing creatures and the slippery seaweed. Did you know that crabs can re-grow missing limbs? Or that starfish eat by pushing their stomachs out of their bodies through their mouths. AT HOME IN THE TIDE POOL will entertain and educate readers about life in the tide pool from low to high tide.

What Do You Find in a Tide Pool? (Ecosystems Close-Up)

Tide pools form from water left on rocky shores when the tide withdraws. From seaweed and sea snails to shore crabs and seabirds, readers will discover some of the plants and animals that live in and around these ever-changing ecosystems.

Moreover, look at some hands-on ideas.

Whether you’re looking to craft or read about tide pools, you’ll find an idea.

Tide Pool Diorama Ideas and Resources

Create a classic diorama like the FIAR Night of The Moon Jellies Tide Pool Diorama.
You could also make a Tide Pool Art Project for a different slant.
Here is a great simple backyard Tide Pool Science Experiment that your kids will love to explore if you don’t have your own nearby.
Watch The Secret Life of Tidepools for a peek into this unique habitat.
Free Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook.
Or check out Exploring Tide Pools for Kids.
I found this fantastic resource for Tidepool Math from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management which has resources for grades k-12.
Save your voice, grab a coffee, and play this read loud In One Tidepool on Youtube.
Free Seashore Watching Unit Study and Beach Lapbook.
Be sure to grab some Ocean Animal toys for making dioramas or just fun dramatic play, this set has plenty of tide pool items like crabs, sea stars, seaweed, and more.
Look at this beautiful two-page spread I found in Ocean Anatomy, besides that there are individual pages on individual creatures and things you would find in a tide pool, what a great resource.

Finally, look how to make an edible tide pool diorama.

How to Make an Edible Tide Pool Diorama

Before you begin your activity, you will want to look up some tide pool creatures to help your child decide what to make in books or use Google as well.

You will need:

Gummy fish
Airheads
Nerds
3 oz box blue jello
Clear glass dish
Tan cardstock
Sanitized scissors

First, trace the bottom of your clear glass dish using tan paper and cut it out, set aside.

Cut open the airheads.

I chose this candy because it molds very nicely, like clay, especially when warmed slightly by your hands.

Pinch, pull, cut, and twist airheads into shapes like barnacles, anemones, seaweed, etc.

How cute is this little crab we made?

Tape tan paper to the underside of the dish to look like the ocean floor.

Warm the dish in the microwave for 30 seconds. And you just want it the slightest bit warm (not hot!), gently press your sea creatures onto the dish.

The heat will help melt the airheads and make them grip the plate a bit so they are not displaced when you pour in the jello. Add your jellyfish at this time too.

Prepare jello according to package directions.

If you want a clearer view to the tide pool you may opt for yellow jello with the tiniest bit of blue food coloring,.

You will be able to see through the final product a little better.

Allow jello to cool completely but not start to gel up in the refrigerator.

Also, pouring cooled jello over your candy makes it dissolve and lose color a lot less than hot would.

Pour carefully into the dish to fill it.

You can still see your creatures very well at this point.

Allow it to set for 3-4 hours or until “solid”.

Use sanitized tweezers, spoons, and a magnifying glass to move the water aside and find ocean life living in your tide pool.

How do Fish Breathe Underwater Fun Activity & Animal Science Homeschool Curriculum

July 2, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you are planning or are in the middle of an animal science homeschool curriculum you are going to get a lot of great questions. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook.

A fun way to answer them is by adding in some simple hands-on ideas.

My favorite part of any study is including lots of fun hands-on ideas that help a child easily understand a concept.

With that in mind, I have some of the best activities to answer animal science questions.

The first question we are going to answer that goes along with our experiment today is what are gills.

How do Fish Breathe Underwater Fun Activity & Animal Science Homeschool Curriculum

Just like we do, fish need to take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide to survive.

But they do not have lungs, they have gills.

Gills are branching organs that are located on both sides of the fish’s head that have a lot of small blood vessels called capillaries.

What Are Gills

Gills work as pumps to move the water while they absorb oxygen and move out carbon dioxide.

The part that you can see on the exterior of the fish is not the gills, rather they are a “gill cover” called opercula.

Watch How Do Fish Breathe Underwater on YouTube for a great video explanation of this process.

What Other Animals Use Gills To Breathe

Mostly fish crabs and mollusks also use their gills to breathe. Larvae like tadpoles and dragonfly larvae use gills in the water at first where they start.

There are many fantastic and inexpensive experiments out there that let your child get deeper involved in the learning process rather than just being read to.

They can help answer questions kids might not even have asked yet or ones you may not be quite sure how to answer yourself.

Animal Science Questions Asked And Answered

For example, look at these questions below.

Why do birds fly in a V?
How do penguins stay dry?
Why do Cat’s Eyes Glow?
How do sharks float?
What is the difference between warm-blooded vs. cold-blooded?
How does a duck stay dry in the water?
Why Don’t Frogs Freeze?
Why are birds’ beaks shaped differently?
Finally, how do fish breathe underwater. We will answer this one further down below with a hands-on experiment.

These are all fantastic ways to teach or learn as a supplement to your box curriculum or used as your very own DIY animal science homeschool curriculum.

Next, look at some of my very favorite books and resources for animal science that help children answer many questions.

Resources and Animal Science Homeschool Curriculum

Animal Science Homeschool Curriculum

Add some of these books and resources to build an animal science curriculum.

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.

Photo Credit: www.homesciencetools.com

Animal X-Rays Set

Study mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds with this x-ray set.

Wildlife Anatomy: The Curious Lives & Features of Wild Animals around the World

Wildlife Anatomy is the newest book in the series and I think it might be my favorite. It not only gives beautiful illustrations of wildlife but answers questions on everything from animal anatomy to what is the difference between an alligator and a crocodile.

Life Cycle Learning & Education, 25 Pieces Animal Figurines

25 animal-plant figurines, 31 guide cards, 1 storage box. It is an ideal educational toy for children over 3 years old and is the best little helper for home/school teaching. An ideal gift for Halloween, Christmas, sock filler, Easter basket or even home/schooling.

Created for Fun Learning Activities - In Matesy life cycle set, it perfect to show life cycle of each species based on little figures and guide cards. Vivid figures and guide cards gives simple animal facts and discussion starters to learn while playing. It Help students visually explore the life cycle of Butterfly, Frog, Chicken, Mantis, Bee, Plants.

Set of 14pcs Animal Atlas Posters,Biology Science

A pack with 14 pcs. Each Size: 30x42cm=11.6x16.5inches. Made of 100percent high-grade hard poster paper, with strong elasticity, clear texture, high definition printing, no cracking of the base, compact and thick, clean and smooth. prints, durable, color resistant, light weight.

Wild Kratts Season 1

Watching Wild Kratts is one aspect ofincorporating technology into your homeschool that I can get behind! The videos are highly entertaining and educational, covering a wide variety of animal science topics. I find myself enjoying them as much as kids do.

Veterinary Anatomy Coloring Book: Dog Cat Horse Frog Bird Anatomy Veterinary & Zoology Anatomy Coloring Book.

Discover the Anatomy of the Following Animals :

First
7 Pages (Anatomy of Dog Skeleton, Horse Skeleton Anatomy, Chicken
Anatomy, Llama Skeleton Anatomy, Internal Organs of Cat, Fish Anatomy
& Anatomy of Dog).
Skeletal System of Dog.
Digestive System of Dog.
Respiratory System of Dog.
Nervous System of Dog.
Lymphatic System of Dog.
Reproductive System of Dog.
Heart and Blood Vessels of Dog.
Bones of The Dog.
Construction of Dog Tooth Dental Formula.
Upper Jaw of The Dog.
Dog Ear Anatomy.
Lungs of The Dog.
Heart of The Dog.
Anatomy of a Dog Paw.
Dog Nail Trimming.

The Science of Animals: From molluscs to mammals

DK's elegant new introduction to wild animals is packed with dramatic photography that celebrates their beauty. Crystal-clear diagrams then explain how animals work and describe how they are adapted to do different things and to survive in different environments. The unique nose-to-tail approach, with chapters on different body parts, allows you to focus in on the beauty of the antenna of a moth, the flight feathers of a parrot, or the feeding tentacles of a jellyfish. The Science of Animals also explores how we have depicted animals in art throughout the ages, from zoological drawings that recorded new discoveries to great
paintings inspired by a deep connection to the natural world. With fascinating stories, such as how animals communicate, defend their territories, and attract mates, The Science of Animals offers an engaging introduction to the extraordinary diversity of the animal kingdom.

Photo Credit: www.homesciencetools.com

Complete Introduction to Biology (Grades 3-5)

Explore the world of biology with the Complete Introduction to biology kit. Your student will study animals, anatomy, plants, diets, ecosystems, and more! They will grow plants with the use of hydroponics and even dissect an owl pellet.

Moreover, look at some more activities for learning about animals.

More Ideas for Learning About Animals

Finally, how do fish and other animals with gills breath underwater.

How Do Fish and Other Animals with Gills Breathe Underwater Activity

This experiment helps children understand the process of how fish, crabs, and mollusks breathe with gills rather than with lungs underwater.

Note: The coffee represents the oxygen in the water, the filter the gills, and the water is fresh or salt water the fish takes in.

You will need:

2 glasses or bowls
Water
Ground Coffee or Dirt
Coffee filter
Rubber band

First, begin by explaining that the water is ocean water, the coffee is the oxygen in the water, and the filter is the fish’s gills.

Draw gills in the center of your coffee filter to help with the visual.

Place a cup or so of water into a container.

Stir in 1-2 Tablespoons of coffee/dirt allowing the color to absorb somewhat.

Place the coffee filter on top of the second clear container and secure it with a rubber band.

Press it down a bit in the middle so it has a dip in the center to hold the water as it is poured through.

Carefully pour coffee and water through the filter.

Watch as the filter “gills” traps the coffee “oxygen” as the water passes through them but the grounds ”carbon dioxide” is filtered out.

Show your child how the filter/gills allowed what was needed through and the rest was filtered out (grounds/carbon dioxide).

It is easy to see in this demonstration because now the water has turned brown.

Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity

June 28, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

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

There are over 500 different species of sharks, and almost 150 of them are listed on the at-threat list.
The largest sea mammal, the blue whale, is also known as the largest animal in the world.
Sharks live in almost all ocean habitats from tropical coral reefs to the Arctic, and down in the deep parts of the seas.
Sharks are apex predators, which means that they are at the very top of the food chain with very few to no predators.
Most sharks are cold-blooded, but a few are warm-blooded, like the great white shark for instance.
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).
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.
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.

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

More Activities For Shark & Oceans for Kindergarten

Make an ocean in a bottle for a sensory experience that is calming and encourages kids to observe and ask questions.
Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play
Frozen animal ocean rescue is perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day.
10 Sea Shell Activities for Kids and Make Crystal Sea Shells
Little hands love exploring their senses, an ocean sensory bin allows them to study ocean animals up close.
Quick Unit Study & Easy Salt water Density Ocean Science Experiments For Kindergarten
Free Coral Reef Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas
Beware of Ocean Pollution: Fun Science Activity for Kids
Get them up, stretch, release those feel-good endorphins, and stimulate the brain with Ocean Yoga.
How Do Sharks Float STEM Activity Free Shark Unit Study & Notebooking Pages
Learn How to Make an Easy Jellyfish Lights Craft
The Geronimo Stilton Series: Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef
Kids Hands-on Egg Carton Sea Turtle Life Cycle Activity

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

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

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.

Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

Following the wild success of The Big Book of Bugs and The Big Book of Beasts, The Big Book of the Blue is the third installment in Yuval Zommer’s beloved series. Alongside everything the young oceanographer needs to know, Zommer’s charming illustrations bring to life some of the slipperiest, scaliest, strangest, and most monstrous underwater animals.

Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

100+ Pcs Beach Seashells Starfish, Various Sizes Ocean Seashells

Package includes about 100 or more pieces mixed beach sea shells. As shown in the picture, random matching includes seashells, starfish, tiny volutes varieties and sea snail, etc.

These seashell decors are exquisite and colorful, which are carefully handpicked and cleaned, generous size from 0.3" to 2.3", weigh about 250g, a wide variety of unique shells for crafts.

All-Natural Brown Play Sand for Mixing

This box has 2.5kg (5.5lb) of natural brown Kinetic Sand to mix, mold, squish, cut and more! Once you pick it up, you won’t be able to put it down! What will you create?

Shark Teeth in Bag Genuine Fossilized Specimens

Real Genuine Shark Teeth

Approximately 30 teeth per bag (plus fossils and bones!)

Great for classroom learning, Arts & Crafts and play "dig sites"

Animal Toy Figurine Models Including Sea Lion, Eagle Ray, Starfish, Turtle, Penguin, Octopus, Humpback Whale, Sperm Whale, Moray Eel, Hammerhead Shark, Tiger Shark, and Dolphin

SET OF 12 FAVORITE FIGURINES – This TOOB brings together 12 of your favorite ocean-dwelling friends, including a sea lion, eagle ray, starfish, turtle, penguin, octopus, humpback whale, sperm whale, moray eel, hammerhead shark, tiger shark, and dolphin!

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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