Bright Hub Education

Bright Hub Education

  • Teaching Tools
    • Teaching Tools
    • Classroom Management
    • Education Industry
    • Student Assessment Tools
    • Teaching Methods
  • Preschool and Early Ed
    • Preschool and Early Ed
    • Infant Development
    • Parenting Tips and Advice
    • Preschool Crafts and Activities
    • Preschool Lesson Plans and Theme
    • Preschool Teaching Strategies
    • Toddler Activities and Ideas
  • Elementary School
    • Elementary School
    • Grade School Activities
    • Lesson Plans for Pre-K and K
    • Lesson Plans: Grades 1 - 2
    • Lesson Plans: Grades 3 - 5
    • Parenting Grade Schoolers
    • Teaching Younger Students
  • Middle School
    • Middle School
    • English Lessons: Grades 6-8
    • History Lessons: Grades 6-8
    • Math Lessons: Grades 6-8
    • Parenting Preteens and Tweens
    • Science Lessons: Grades 6-8
    • Social Studies: Grades 6-8
    • Teaching Middle Schoolers
    • The Arts: Grades 6-8
  • More
    • High School(7)
    • Homework Help(20)
    • Special Ed(11)
    • More Areas(4)
More
High School (7)
Homework Help (20)
Special Ed (11)
More Areas (4)
English Lessons: Grades 9-12
High School Teaching Tips
History Lessons: Grades 9-12
Math Lessons: Grades 9-12
Parenting Teens
Science Lessons: Grades 9-12
The Arts: Grades 9-12
English Help
Geography Facts
Help with German
Help with Latin
Help with Writing
History Help
Language Learning Strategies
Learning Chinese
Learning French
Learning Italian
Learning Japanese
Learning Spanish
Literature Study Guides
Math Facts
Miscellaneous Languages
Science Homework Help
Science Projects
Social Studies Help
Study and Learning Tips
Test Preparation
Behavioral Disorders
Gifted and Exceptional St...
Hearing Impairments
IDEA, IEPs and The Law
Inclusion Strategies
Learning Disorders
Neurological Disorders
Physical Disabilities
Special Ed: Parent Perspe...
Speech Disorders
Visual Impairments
Homeschooling Advice
Summer Learning
Teaching a Second Language
Teaching ESL Learners
Early Ed
    Skip to content
    768

    Preschool Starfish (Sea Star) Theme: Crafts and Activities for Preschoolers

    Preschool Crafts and Activities for Hands-on Learning / By Laurie Patsalides / Early Education Information for Teachers, Parents & Caregivers

    Teach About Sea Stars (Starfish)

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

    images Pin it! Share on Facebook

    If possible, go to your local craft or beach store, or even the beach to have a collection of sea stars for students to see and touch. Let the students use their sense of touch to describe the way the it feels. Tell the students that the reason the sea star has a “bumpy” surface is to protect itself from danger in the sea. Also include posted pictures of sea stars 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 sea star looking at me. (Note: in an ocean theme, other under the sea animals and creatures could be substituted for the sea star)

    Craft Directions

    Materials Needed:

    • Cornmeal
    • Glue
    • Water
    • Cotton Swabs
    • Flat baking pans, or boxes
    • Poster board in fluorescent colors
    • Sea star pattern (this could also be traced from a cookie cutter if available)

    Procedure:

    Before the start of class, cut out sea star 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 sea star and then sprinkle the cornmeal on the glue. 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 sea star. Once dried, ask the students to carefully feel the “sea star” and describe the texture of the cornmeal. They may decide that it feels similar to the sea stars they touched earlier.

    Create a Sea Star Bulletin Board

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

    Sea Star Glow Upon the Sand

    images2 Pin it! Share on Facebook

    Sea Star Shining in My Hand

    Sea Star Here and Sea Star There

    See Our Sea Star, Full of Flair!

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

    Celebrate with a Starfruit Snack

    Starfruit Pin it! Share on Facebook

    Finish off the fun with a starfruit snack. When sliced crosswise, this fruit will resemble a star (or in this case a sea star). 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

    Post navigation

    ← Previous Post
    Next Post →
    Copyright © 2019 Bright Hub Education. All Rights Reserved.
    About | Copyright Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
     

    Popular Pages

    • Home

    More Info

    Recent

    • Three Recycled Christmas Craft Projects for Preschoolers: To Use as Gifts or Decorations
    • Two Dozen Ways to Explore the Five Senses in Preschool: Activities & Lessons
    • Poinsettia Craft to Make in Preschool with Free Downloadable Template
    • Quick and Easy Name Recognition Activities for Preschool Classrooms
    • Literacy Activities with The Itsy Bitsy Spider in Preschool: Teaching Comprehension
    • Make Circle Time Great: A Collection of Creative Preschool Ideas
     

    Search Here:

    Navigation

    • Teaching Tools
    • Preschool and Early Ed
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • Top Menu

    Keep In Touch

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Google+
    © 2019 brighthubeducation.com. All rights reserved.
    • Privacy Policy