Ocean Lesson Plans for Kindergarten Learning About Ocean Life for Kindergarten

Ocean Lesson Plans for Kindergarten  Learning About Ocean Life for Kindergarten
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Circle Time

In the unit “Life Under the Sea” an opportunity to Introduce new words, such as environment, gulf, marine life and conservation, will

begin to expand your students’ vocabulary. As each word is said, have the children clap to the syllables. Show the map of the world and review the oceans that covers the earth.

Read the book A Swim Through the Sea, by Kristin Joy Pratt. This story is about a seahorse named Seamore, who encounters various sealife living in the ocean. There is one for each letter of the alphabet, encouraging an interest in the young environmentalists. The illustrations are flowing with actions as the children anticipate each page that is turned.

Music

Pair into groups as you play the song, " A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea" from Johnette Downing’s " Fins and Grins" CD.

A Swim Through the Sea

“A sailor went to sea, sea, sea. (child salutes to “sea,sea,sea” and pats partner’s hands in between) and repeat for each line.

To see what he could see, see, see. (child “visors” hand over eyes)

And all that he could see, see, see. (repeat)

Was the bottom of the deep blue sea,sea,sea.” (repeat)

Sing each verse faster than the verse before.

Activity

Gather the children in a circle on the floor and read the book “Bright Stanley” by Matt Buckingham. Precut large “fish” from poster board.

Bright Stanley

Have bright markers, crayons or paints and large sequins available for the children to decorate their fish. Attach each fish to fishing line and hang on ceiling throughout the room. This should remain through the week for the entire ocean series of lessons.

Math

In a " pond" on the rug, precut “fish” and print from the number family the class is learning. Attach a paper clip to each fish, while the child fishes with a magnet attached to the end of a fishing pole. He or she will then say the number on the fish caught. A variety of ideas may also be used, such as showing the number word and have the child “fish” for the matching number. If studying addition or subtraction, each child may “fish” for a number to be added or subtracted by the class. This concept may also be used with the phonics lesson, using letter blends and forming words from the “fish” caught.

Suggested Books:

Whale Song by Tony Johnston

A Swim Through the Sea by Kristen Joy Pratt

How to Hide An Octopus by Ruth Heller

Bright Stanley by Matt Buckingham

This post is part of the series: Life Under the Sea

The lessons in this series is on the study of ocean life for kindergarten through third grade incorporating activities in art, math, phonics and music.

  1. Life Under the Sea Unit: Caring For Our Oceans
  2. A Lesson on Whales for Kindergarten
  3. Life Under the Sea: Sea Turtles
  4. Life Under the Sea: Dolphins