Ocean Activities (Circle Time, Centers, Small Group) BUNDLE

This bundle is made up of 15 fun ocean themed activities that develop fine motor (cutting, playdough, tracing), gross motor, math (counting objects, sorting by size, and number recognition), literacy (upper/lowercase recognition, prewriting skills, beginning sounds, basic print concepts and vocabulary), and social emotional skills (self regulation, sharing, taking turns). This versatile pack has activities that can be done independently in centers, during small group time, and circle time.

Circle Time

Where is Clark? Song Chant Activity with Numbers & Letters - This activity students have to find Clark the shark by singing a chant and choosing a letter or number tile that he can be hidden under. Students can learn or reinforce number recognition, uppercase, and lowercase letters. The activity can be customized to focus on one particular skill. For example, you may want to only focus on letters and numbers your students have already learned and you can do that with this activity.

What is True About Sharks - In this activity, you and your students will decide if the statements regarding sharks are true or false. There are labels for a “True” column and a “False” column. Each statement is on a shark graphic.

Sorting Sharks by Length - In this activity, you and your students will describe sharks by using vocabulary with measurable attributes like “long” and “short.” You will then go on and sort the sharks by size using positional words like “above” and “below,” practicing math and literacy skills while learning interesting facts about sharks.

I Have/Who Has? - In this activity students learn and practice colors and 2D shapes (Square, circle, oval, rectangle, triangle, heart, star, rhombus, and crescent. The advanced set includes: octagon, pentagon, hexagon, and trapezoid). Each student is given a card that states with visual instructions, “I have a red circle. Who has an orange crescent?” The student with the orange crescent will read their card and the game will continue on until all of the students have had a turn.

Math

Create Patterns Using Ocean Animals in an Aquarium - This math activity is used to practice extending, duplicating, and creating simple patterns. There are 5 patterns: AB, ABC, AABB, AAB, and ABB. Each pattern has 3 practice aquarium mats with ocean animals. There is also a blank aquarium mat for students to create their own pattern. There are color and print friendly versions of each.

Counting Sea Turtles - This math activity can be used to practice counting up to 20, as well as number recognition. There are a few different versions: mats with one ten frame (for numbers 1-10), mats with two ten frames (for numbers 1-20), and mats with no ten frames. Print friendly versions are included too.

Cutting & Sorting Fish by Size - This math activity can be used to practice fine motor skills, describing objects using measurable attributes (small/big), and comparing objects using length. A print friendly version is included.

Literacy

Shark and Fish Name Activity - Write the student's name on each shark, pass them out along with enough fish to spell out their name. Ask them to use their best handwriting and write each letter of their name on their fish. They can use the shark for reference. Color the shark. Glue on the shark and the fish to their paper.

How to Draw Activity - Students will use a sensory tray with sand and visual instruction cards (to encourage independent use) to draw simple sea creatures that include a fish, jellyfish, shark and crab. You will also find a fish template that you can write sight words, student names or letters you want them to practice.

Emergent Reader - Share the emergent reader book as a group using echo reading or fill-in-the-gap reading, and then invite the students to make their own at small group or independently at the literacy center.

Vocabulary Cards - These cards can be used in many different ways. Each card has a picture of an ocean animal and the animal name printed below it. You can create a memory match game, post in the literacy center or word wall and reference them when talking about the ocean.

Fine Motor

Jellyfish - Using scissors, students will follow the dashed lines to cut tentacles. There are jellyfish with wavy cutting lines and a more challenging version of jellyfish with zigzag cutting lines. These printables can be used for tracing as well. Students can also color their jellyfish before or after cutting/tracing, depending on what skill you want to focus on.

Playdough Prompt Cards - Gather one tub of playdough for each child and let them use the prompt cards to create ocean animals. There are 6 different cards: whale, octopus, crab, starfish, fish, and turtle.

Tracing Mats - Students will pick an ocean mat and trace along the dotted lines to complete the picture. There is a colored version that can be laminated and used with dry-erase markers. There is also a print friendly version where students can use any writing tool of their choice.

Gross Motor

Movement Dice (gross motor coordination, balance and control)

There are print friendly versions of each.

Dramatic Play

Turn your dramatic play center into an Aquarium with math and literacy skills incorporated.

Mostly in color.

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