Teach About Starfish

When teaching preschool children about the ocean, or during a beach theme, be sure to include a handmade starfish craft. Students should know that starfish are not fish, even though their name includes the word "fish". Starfish come in many different bright colors and usually have 5 arms. Also be sure to reinforce the shape of the starfish, a star! Starfish also come in a variety of sizes. 

If possible, go to your local craft or beach store, or even the beach to have a collection of starfish shells for students to see and touch. Let the students use their sense of touch to describe the way the starfish feels. Tell the students that the reason the starfish has a "bumpy" surface is to protect itself from danger in the sea. Also include posted pictures of starfish in the classroom.

Literacy Connection:

Starfish by, Edith Thacher Hurd and Robin Brickman

Starfish Rhyme

Repeat this rhyme and post the words for the students to follow along as you either read or sing the rhyme aloud:

What do you see under the sea? I see a starfish looking at me. (Note: in an ocean theme, other under the sea animals and creatures could be substituted for the starfish)

Starfish Craft

Materials Needed:

Cornmeal

Glue

Water

Cotton Swabs

Flat baking pans, or boxes

Poster board in fluorescent colors

A starfish pattern (this could also be traced from a cookie cutter starfish, if available)

Procedure:

Before the start of class, cut out starfish patterns from the poster board in a variety of colors. Students may desire to make more than one.

Dilute the glue with water, to make the glue thinner. The cornmeal will stick better to less glue.

Have the students use the cotton swabs to dab the glue onto the starfish and sprinkle the cornmeal onto the starfish. Shake off the excess cornmeal onto the baking pans or boxes and set aside to dry.

While the students are working, encourage them to count the "arms" of the starfish. Once dried, ask the students to carefully feel the "starfish" and describe the texture of the cornmeal. They may decide that it feels similar to the starfish shell.

Create a Starfish Bulletin Board

Once completed, these starfish will make a beautiful wall or bulletin board display. Label the bulletin board with the following rhyme:

Starfish Glow Upon the Sand 

Starfish Shining in My Hand

Starfish Here and Starfish There

See Our Starfish, Full of Flair!

If time allows, read the rhyme (and snap a photograph) while student hold their starfish. This is a starfish craft your preschool students are sure to love while learning about the wonders of the sea.

Celebrate with a Starfruit Snack

 Finish off the fun with a starfruit snack. When sliced crosswise, this fruit will resemble a star (or in this case a starfish). It is available year-round and best cut when a few brown spots appear on the edges.

Read a whole unit about Life Under the Sea, including, whales, jellyfish, sea turtles and dolphins.

Photo credit: Wikipedia Commons