Ocean/Fishy Fun Unit
Even though we do not live near the ocean, our class still enjoys exploring the ocean. Here are some activities that we completed during our unit. We read lots of books about the ocean. We hope you will enjoy the ocean with us.
Starfish Rubbings
Need: Sandpaper,
Construction paper, crayons
Directions:
Cut a bunch of stars out of sandpaper. Lots of different sizes and
different grades of sandpaper. Give each child a plain sheet of
construction paper and crayons. Tape the stars around the tables and the
kids can walk around and rub on anyone they want.
Japanese Hanging Fish - http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/japan/koi/
Paper Plate Octopus:
Cut a paper plate in half. Draw eyes on the plate, and then glue on eight pieces of crepe paper as
arms. When dry hang in a window to see the octopus swim.
Watercolor Rainbow Fish
Materials/Preparation:
Watercolors
brushes and water in cups
Large white construction paper
Pattern of fish
Scissors
Aluminum foil
Glue
Activity:
After reading the book and discussing it, we make rainbow fish with watercolors. I have the students watercolor the whole large paper in any way that they want. After the paper is dry, we cut out a fish pattern and glue a small aluminum foil scale on it. I keep the scraps of watercolor paper for the writing center.
Fish
How I wish
I were a fish!
My day would begin
Flapping my fins.
I'd make a commotion
Out in the ocean.
It would be cool
To swim in a school.
In the sea,
I'd move so free,
With just one thought:
Don't get caught!
Snacks -
Sand Cups:
2 C. milk
1 small package of vanilla pudding mix
8-oz. tub of whipped topping
1 box vanilla wafers
Pour 2 C. milk into a large bowl. Add pudding mix and beat until blended. Let stand 5
minutes. Stir in whipped topping and half a package of
crushed vanilla wafers. Place 1 T. of crushed cookies into each
clear plastic cup. Fill cups ¾ full with pudding mixture.
Top
with remaining crushed wafers. Refrigerate for 1
hour.
Boiled Octopus
Take a hot dog and cut a + from each end towards the center. DO NOT cut completely to the center. Place the cut hot dog into boiling water for a
minute or two and the ends will curl up and the hot dog will resemble an
octopus.
Octopus Treat
Make this easy octopus treat. You will need 2 round crackers per student, peanut butter, Mini M&M's and licorice. Spread peanut butter on one cracker, press 8 licorice legs into the peanut butter. Add the top cracker, spread more peanut butter on top and add your mini M&M's eyes!
Culminating Project - Make fish pillows - teacher sews the basic shape, students decorate with paint, buttons, sequins, etc.
Links -
http://www.calicocookie.com/oceanfun.html
http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/themes/ocean.shtml
http://www.childfun.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=87
http://www.fcsweb.net/teachers/mwilliamson/units/ocean_unit.htm
Game to make - http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/lessonplans/profbooks/racedown.htm
Whales - http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/lessonplans/profbooks/whales.htm
Frogs - metamorphosis - http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/lessonplans/profbooks/tadpole.pdf
Pond Life - make a booklet - http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/reproducibles/profbooks/livespond.pdf
http://www.teachingheart.net/ocean.html
http://kindergarten2.homestead.com/Ocean.html