Author Christine Clemente Stack
Illustrator Jenny Campbell
Editorial/Art Director Karen Sevaly
Graphic Designers Cory Jackson
Jim Sevaly
Look for the entire series of Teacher’s Friend
Early Childhood Theme Books at your local school supplier.
Copyright © 2001
All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN 0-439-50008-7
Reproduction of these materials for commercial resale or distribution to an entire
school or school/library district is strictly prohibited. Pages may be duplicated for
one individual classroom set only. Materials may not be reproduced for other
purposes without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
Table of Contents
How to Use This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Everything You Need to Know About The Ocean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Literature List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Dictation and/or Creative Writing Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Clip Art Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Awards and Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Songs, Poems and Fingerplays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Activities and Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Patterns and Crafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Bulletin Board Ideas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
My Book About The Ocean! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Goodies to Make and Eat! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
At Home with Ocean Adventures! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

About the Author
Christine Clemente Stack is from a suburban community in upstate New
York. She holds permanent certification as a Special Education
Teacher. As an educator for over twelve years, she has had the
opportunity to spend many hours dedicated to the encouragement and
enhancement of the development of young children. She has been
engaged in several professional opportunities, including teacher, supervi-
sor, presenter/trainer, facilitator, collaborator, mentor, Early
Intervention Specialist, and Child Development Specialist. Her most
rewarding aspect of each position has been the time spent with
children and their families. She encourages you to enjoy this book and
hopes that it will help you to better serve each young child in your care.
Safety Warning!
Parents and professionals should use their best judgment to determine
whether a particular idea or suggestion would be appropriate to use
with an individual child or group of children.
It is important that children only use materials and products labeled
child-safe and non-toxic. Small children should always be supervised by
a competent adult and youngsters must never be allowed to put small
objects or art materials in their mouths. Please consult the manufac-
turer’s safety warnings on all materials and equipment used with young
children.
When using food products, make sure that you take into consideration
any children’s allergies or food restrictions. Make sure that you take
special note of the beliefs, values, and culture of the families you serve.
2
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
INTRODUCTION
3

This 48 page thematic book about the ocean contains a collection of skill-based activities and ideas
for children ages 3 to 6 years. The ideas and suggestions are based on the philosophy of developing
the whole child through play, exploration and varied experiences. These activities should enhance
the child’s ability to develop communication, motor/physical, cognitive, social/emotional, and adap-
tive/self-help skills. The teacher should approach and implement the activities in a way that takes
into consideration each child’s individual needs and abilities.
Many of the activities have been organized to meet the criteria of the interest areas
(centers) found in most early childhood classrooms. They include:
• Art and Crafts • Library/Writing • Dramatic Play
• Housekeeping • Math and Manipulatives • Sand and Water
• Outdoor Play • Music and Movement • Computer Center
• Blocks and Building • Table Toys • Cooking and Nutrition
Opportunities to develop pre-literacy and literacy skills should be apparent in every center in the
classroom. Using the activities in this book, children can explore the basic concepts of color, shape,
number, quantity and position that naturally occur in a stimulating, early childhood environment. It
is essential for early childhood educators to build each child’s vocabulary every day. It is one of the
basic components needed by children in order for them to become successful learners and literate
adults. In almost every activity throughout the day, there will be an occasion to incorporate infor-
mation related to basic language concepts. With this book, one will discover activities and games
which will allow the children to explore ideas and vocabulary which will help them develop essential
skills.
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
This resource book includes an array of ideas, activities and reproducible pages that you and other
early childhood educators can utilize to develop stimulating activities around a given theme. The
graphics, clip art, game ideas and other reproducible pages throughout the book are meant to be
copied for individual classroom use. You may adapt or modify the ideas or instructions to best meet
the developmental level of the children you serve. As a time saver, protect your work by laminating
the products or placing the reproducible pages in plastic page protectors. The following describes
each section and some helpful tips and hints regarding how to implement the ideas into your
curriculum:

Everything You Need to Know About…
This section includes a number of interesting facts or points about the ocean in general. It also
includes a list of websites that may be used as a resource for additional information on the topic.
Dictation and/or Creative Writing Page
Use this page for children to write their own words or stories. Make several copies and place them
in your writing center with appropriate writing tools.
Clip Art
There are many uses for these cute, simple thematic illustrations. Each graphic can be enlarged or
reduced to meet your individual needs. You can use the clip art illustrations in the following ways:
In newsletters and notes In rebus recipe charts In thank you notes
On rebus stories or letters On song charts On homemade games
In experiential charts or books In each center or area With your calendar
As part of your routine chart On charts and bulletin boards On rewards/certificates
Library and Writing
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
4
Awards and Certificates
Use these cute, thematic certificates to reward children or thank volunteers. You can use the
awards to:
Recognize accomplishments Praise good deeds Identify strengths
Recognize good sportsmanship Support teamwork Thank volunteers
Acknowledge acts of kindness Support positive behavior Acknowledge good choices
Thematic Literature List
This list of children’s literature with the theme of the ocean includes books to read to the class,
picture books, and books for beginning readers. A list of vocabulary words pertinent to the theme
of the ocean is also included. Here are a few tips for reading books aloud:
• Select good, well written and illustrated books
• Position yourself so that each child can see the book
• Review some of the words in the book before you read it

• Change the intonation of your voice to dramatize the story
• Read leaving words out to elicit responses from children
• Point out beginning consonant sounds (phoneme) and connect
it with the letter (symbol)
• Comment on words that rhyme
• Point out the title, author and illustrator
• Point to words from left to right and top to bottom, etc.
• Keep the children on track - listening to the story
• Ask "wh" questions - "what, where, why, when"
• Expand on the concepts in the book in other centers
• Repeat readings of the same story
Songs, Poems and Fingerplays
Songs and fingerplays are an essential piece of an early childhood curriculum. These simple thematic
jingles are set to familiar children’s songs. Short poems and fingerplays are also included in this
section. They help children to learn about the rhythm and rhyme of our language. (Copies of the
songs and poems can be shared with parents and used at home.) The songs can be written on large
poster board so that children, families and volunteers can follow along. Clip art pictures can be
added in place of words to create a rebus song chart. Develop a song basket filled with copies of
each song. (Song cards can be made by copying each song to a large index card. Glue a clip art pic-
ture to the back of each card and laminate for durability. Place the song cards in a large basket for
children to easily select a song they wish to sing.)
Activities and Games
These skill-based activities and games can be used with the entire class, small groups of children or
by individual children. The activities have been organized as they relate to interest centers typical-
ly found in the early childhood classroom. Use the ideas and activities in each section to facilitate
the following skill development and concepts:
exploring emotions practicing skills vocabulary development
dress-up & make believe sharing & turn-taking using imagination
using creativity imitation social skill development
acting out life experiences resolving conflicts self-help skills

pretend play & role play receptive & expressive language development
Library and Writing
Music and Movement
Dramatic Play
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
5
& Field Trips
exercise exploration gross-motor skills
social skills following directions teamwork
trying new things fair play & sportsmanship building concepts
(Science)
using math & science tools following directions time & space
social skills cognitive skill development findings & predictions
language skills math concepts & properties living & non-living thing
visual-perceptual skills position, quality & quantity gathering information
measurement relationships recording information turn-taking
experimentation & exploration learning properties of substances
learning about your surroundings number, letter, shape recognition and matching
gross-motor development singing & vocal expression beat
following directions rhyme & rhythm math skills
movement of body parts exploration of emotions pre-literacy skills
language skills individual expression imitation
literacy skills use of writing tools retelling stories
sound-symbol relationships exploring books following directions
creative writing self-expression attention span
concept & vocabulary development
looking at, listening to and participating in stories
Patterns and Crafts
This section includes several patterns or craft ideas to utilize in your art center. One must always

consider that, for the young artist and creator, the “process” is much more important than the
product. The young artist develops skills in several development domains. Use the ideas and activi-
ties in this section to facilitate the following skill development and concepts:
creativity pre-literacy skills
exploration & experimentation unique products
learning properties of substances using drawing, writing and cutting tools
building self-esteem finding new ways to use materials
building fine motor skills manipulation of various materials
following directions
Bulletin Board Ideas
Several suggestions are included for creating interesting and informative bulletin boards based upon
the theme of the ocean and can be used in a variety of ways in the classroom. Here are a few tips:
Keep them neat and professional looking Display children’s unique creations
Display photos of kids at play & work Change the boards periodically
Display magazine pictures of "real" things Use neat and concise letters & writing
Keep them current to theme or activities of the program
Display at the appropriate height for children’s viewing
Display higher for family members and volunteers
Math and Manipulatives
Music and Movement
Library and Writing
Arts and Crafts
Outdoor Play
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
6
My Book About…
Make copies of the pages in this section to create an interesting book about the ocean for your
young learners. Simply duplicate the pages, cut and assemble them by number. Attach the pages
together with staples or brads. Laminate the front and back for durability. Children will enjoy lis-

tening to the story and coloring the pages. Older children may have the skills to color, cut, assem-
ble and read the story for themselves. Having children make their own book helps develop pre-
emergent reading skills in early learners.
Goodies to Make and Eat!
The recipes found in this are devoted to cooking and nutrition. Clay or dough recipes, which you may
use in your art or sensory area, are also included. The recipes can be copied onto poster board,
large sheets of paper, or recipe-sized cards so that children, families and volunteers can follow
along. You may want to add clip art pictures in place of words to create rebus recipe charts. Use
the recipes in this section to facilitate these developmental skills:
following directions performing activities in sequential order
cooperating with others manners and taking turns
counting & measurement concepts use of simple kitchen utensils
sensory exploration of foods observation of food in different forms
pre-literacy and literacy skills practicing different food preparations
At Home With…
This section is meant to provide families with ideas and activities to do at home with their children.
These activities will help to encourage communication between family member and child, as well as
support the skill development of the child. The activities should be optional for those families who
wish to and have the time to participate. Educators may wish to incorporate the ideas into their
newsletters or simply attach the "At Home With… " sheet to their notes.
Parent/Family Involvement
Throughout each theme book, educators will note the various opportunities to encourage parent/
family involvement. Communication between parents and the program is one key to increasing parent
involvement. One mechanism to increase communication with parents is through notes or newslet-
ters.
Tips for Notes and Newsletters
Make them visually appealing – add clip art Write blocks of information
Be specific when referring to a day or time Typewritten or printed
Write about each center, activity, or type of news Make it neat – professional
Add a response sheet for parents Proof for typing errors

Request assistance – parent volunteers for at least one activity
Keep them easy to read – vocabulary/avoid lengthy sections
Avoid using last names on general newsletters without permission
Add questions for parents to ask their children to encourage conversation
Note:
All of the patterns and illustrations in this book can be enlarged to better suit the needs of young
learners.
Library and Writing
Cooking and Nutrition
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
The "Ocean" Facts
There are four oceans: Pacific (largest), Atlantic, Indian, and Arctic.
They are all connected into one enormous ocean that covers twice as
much of the Earth as does land surfaces. Many people use the terms
“sea” and “ocean” to mean the same thing. But scientists use the term
”sea” to define parts of an ocean that are nearest to land.
Seawater tastes salty because rain has washed the salt off of rocks
near rivers, streams and the ocean. The “salt” follows the currents
and ends up in the sea. Sea salt is the same salt that we use every day
to sprinkle on our foods.
Sand is made from tiny pieces of rocks, seashells and coral. Beaches
can be tan, yellow, black, pinkish-red/white, or green. The bottom of
the ocean is covered with rocks, sand and seaweed near the shore.
However, in the middle of the ocean the bottom is covered with red
clay. The depth does not allow the sunlight in, so it is dark and cold,
the plants are white and the fish have to “see” by smelling and touch-
ing. The fish in the deepest parts of the ocean have huge jaws and
strange appearances.
Some of the animals that live in the ocean have shells for shelter and

protection. Examples: scallop, clam, crab, lobster and snail.
There are many different fish, mammals and other animals that live in
the sea. Here is some information on just a few of them:
Fish (in general): Fish use their muscles, tails and fins to swim,
balance and change direction. Fish need oxygen to stay alive, so
they must breathe underwater. They use their gills to get the
oxygen. The fish let water enter through their mouths. The
water is pushed out through their gills. The gills absorb the
oxygen and it is carried by the bloodstream to all parts of the
fish. The fastest fish is the sailfish, which can swim about 65
mph.
Stingray: This is a flat, brown or grayish colored, diamond
shaped creature with a long tail. The tail has sharp spines that
are used to sting predators. They glide along the ocean shores
stirring up food for themselves and other sealife.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT "THE OCEAN"
7
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
8
Walrus: This sea mammal is approximately 14 ft. long, weighs up to
3 tons and has flippers. They use their ivory tusks to get mates, for
climbing onto ice, for protection, and to anchor themselves in the sand
while they dig for clams. A walrus can walk on all fours on land and move
as fast as people. They live in herds in the thousands.
Seal: This sea mammal has a silver-toned oily fur and layers of blubber
(fat). They can weigh about 4 tons. They are slow movers on land,
dragging their bodies around. They are often found laying in the sun in
huge groups. There are different types of seals (Sea Lions – ears out-
side their heads and True Seals – no outer ear).

Great White Shark: This large and powerful fish can weigh from 5,000
to over 7,000 lbs. It has rows of sharp, jagged teeth that are used to
get their prey. As the teeth wear down, they fall out and new sharp
teeth grow in. They live between 30 and 50 years.
Crab: This sea creature is covered in a hard shell and has five pairs
of jointed legs. Its first pair of legs have large claws. They use the
claws to attract mates, defend themselves, and get food. They range in
size from 1 in. to 12 ft. long.
Dolphins: This small-toothed whale is a mammal. They breathe through
a blowhole on top of their head. They have long narrow bodies, flippers
on their sides, and fins on their backs. They are very social animals and
many have been trained.
Seahorse: This sea creature has a head that looks like a
horse. It is about 5 in. long and uses its tail to hold onto
plants. It has a spiny coat for protection.
Jellyfish: Some types of this soft-bodied animal have
poisonous tentacles that sting their prey.
Octopus: This soft-bodied sea creature has eight large
tentacles with suckers. They use the suckers to stick to
rocks, catch food, and move along the ocean floor.
Look for more interesting information on the
following websites:
www.aza.org
www.animaladventures.com
www.pbs.org/oceanrealm/
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
Thematic Literature List
9
Barlowe, Sy. 101 Questions about the Seashore. Dover Publications, 1998

Bokoske, Sharon and Davidson, Margaret. Dolphins! Step Into Reading Ser. #2. Random
House Books For Young Readers, 1993
Craig, Janet. Discovering Whales and Dolphins.Troll Communications L.L.C., 1990
Ehlert, Lois. Fish Eyes: A Book You Can Count On . Scholastic, Inc., 1990
Elffers, Joost and Freymann, Saxton. One Lonely Seahorse. Scholastic, Inc., 2000
Ganeri, Anita. I Wonder Why The Sea Is Salty . New York: Kingfisher Publications, 1995
Morris, Robert A. The Dolphin, I Can Read Books. Harper Collins Children’s Book Group,
1983
O’Brien, Teresa. Animals of The Ocean. Maine: Flying Frog Publishing, 1997
Pallotta, Jerry. Going Lobstering. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc., 1990
Ward, Nathalie. Do Whales Ever…? What You Really Want to Know About Whales,
Porpoises, and Dolphins. Down East Books, 1997
Ziefert, Harriet. Bob and Shirley: A Tale of Two Lobsters. Penguin Putnam Books for
Young Readers, 1999
Concepts & Vocabulary
aquarium dolphin seahorse shrimp walrus
clams fish seal snail whale
claws jellyfish seaweed starfish coral
lobster shark stingray crab scallops
shells tentacles sand gills
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
10
Dictation and/or Creative Writing Page
Name
Date
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
“OCEAN” CLIP ART!
11

Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
12
Date
Teacher
Date
Teacher
Name Name
What
a
Great
Reader!
You
Can
Do
It!
Whale of a Student!
awarded to
Teacher
Date
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
Songs, Poems and Fingerplays
13
Music and Movement
The Little Bitty Seahorse
(Tune: The Itsy Bitsy Spider)
The little bitty seahorse
Went out for a swim,
Up came a wave

And washed the seahorse in,
Out came the sun
And calmed the roaring sea,
And the little bitty seahorse
Went out to swim again.
(Paste this seahorse pattern to
a craft stick for each child in
class.)
Three Big Blue Whales
Three big blue whales swimming in the ocean,
One swam away and then there were two,
Two big blue whales swimming in the ocean,
One swam away and then there was one,
One big blue whale swimming in the ocean,
He swam away and then there was none………
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
14
Music and Movement
I’m A Little Lobster
(Tune: I’m A Little Teapot)
I’m a little lobster
Hard and red.
I have a tail.
My name is Fred.
When I go out to sea,
I rest my head
On a sand and coral bed.
Tommy Caught A Little Crab
(Tune: Mary Had A Little Lamb)

Tommy caught a little crab,
Little crab, little crab.
Tommy caught a little crab,
Who had five sets of legs.
And everywhere that Tommy went
The crab was sure to go.
He brought it to school in a pail,
School in a pail, school in a pail.
He brought it to school in a pail
To show it to his friends.
Substitute “Tommy” with the
names of each child in the
group.
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
ACTIVITIES AND GAMES
15
Fill the dramatic play area with the following items: different sized,
colored and shaped stuffed or plastic/rubber fish or ocean animals;
fish type puppets; fish, mermaid, or pirate/captain/sailor type cos-
tumes; fish tank and supplies; empty fish food containers; pet store
signs; cash register; large refrigerator box (underwater tunnel); eye
masks or goggles; bathing suits/wetsuits (large enough to fit over
their clothes); life jackets; flippers; wading pool or water table; and
fish/ocean storybooks.
Encourage the children to pretend to be fish, mermaids, or
pirates/captains/sailors, or dress up for a deep sea dive by
putting on the costumes or playing with the puppets.
Pretend to visit a pet store that sells fish.
Set up a small aquarium or fish bowl. The children will learn

how to care for a pet fish.
Use the large refrigerator box to create an underwater tunnel
for the children to crawl through - decorate the inside of the
box with a water scene and cut windows in the box and cover
them with blue cellophane paper.
Play with plastic water animals in a pool, water table, or in
dishpans half-full of water. Children can also pretend to play
in an empty wading pool.
Dramatic Play
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
16
& Field Trips
Field Trip to the Aquarium
If you are fortunate to be able to bring the children to an
aquarium, then take advantage of the wonderful opportunity.
A visit to a pet store is another option. Invite parents and
other family members to come along. After you return from the
trip, write a thank you note, create a book (add photos or
drawings) or develop an experience chart.
Things to do at the aquarium:
• look at and touch water animals
• watch how the animals move through the water
• talk about where the animals live
• learn the names of the many different water animals
• listen to the sounds that water animals make under and above
the water
• learn about how to care for fish and other water animals
• observe the different colors, sizes and shapes of the various
fish

Sort plastic water animals or shells by color, size or type.
Use paper plates with either the color (i.e., red, yellow, blue),
size (big or little), or type (water animals with shells or without
shells) written on the plate.
Math and Manipulatives
(Science)
Outdoor Play
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
17
Matching Number Whales!
Copy the following "Whale Squares" onto heavy paper. Color, laminate
and cut the pictures below into individual squares.
l
Math and Manipulatives
(Science)
7
l0
2
5
8
ll
3
6
9
l2
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
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To play a matching game, have two or more players turn the pictures face

down. Ask them to take turns turning the squares over two at a time to
find matches. If the pictures match, then the player keeps the squares
and goes again. If the pictures do not match, the next player takes a
turn. Match number to number or number to dots.
Math and Manipulatives
(Science)
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Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
19
Match the Fish Designs Envelope Game
Children will have fun and build their self-confidence while practicing
simple matching skills. Make an envelope game by gluing 4 library book
pockets on the front of a 10in. x 13in. clasp envelope. On each pocket,
glue the pattern squares (one per square). Make several copies of the
fish pictures and mount them on 3in. x 5in. index cards and laminate the
cards. The child sorts the pictures by inserting the cards into the
pocket with the matching design on it. The pictures can be easily stored
inside the envelope. This can also be made using a file folder. Glue the
pockets inside the folder. Pieces are stored inside the folder.
Math and Manipulatives

(Science)
Make a
matching
pattern
activity.
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
20
Starfish Shapes!
To play this game, laminate and cut several copies of the shape starfish
below. Cover a tissue box with blue paper or blue contact paper and draw
squiggly lines to represent the water. Place all the shape starfish in the
tissue box. Each child takes a turn picking out a starfish. The child names
the shape on the starfish and finds something
in the classroom that is the same shape.
For example: Child picks , child says “square.”
Then the child finds a square block or points to a square window.
Math and Manipulatives
(Science)
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
21
Armored (with shell) or Not!
Look at the picture and draw a around the animals that have shells.
Math and Manipulatives
(Science)
Color the pictures.
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
22

Adding Things Up!
Look at the picture and count how many. Write the answers in the
blanks next to the ocean animals.
Math and Manipulatives
(Science)
Color the pictures.
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
23
The Shell Relay
The children will enjoy balancing shells in this relay race. You will need at
least one shell for each child. Place them in a bucket at one end of the
parking lot or paved play yard and draw a straight chalk starting line.
Next to the bucket, place two tongs or two ladles or two large spoons.
Measure a reasonable distance and draw a chalk finish line. Place two (or
more) bowls at the finish line. Separate the class into two (or more)
teams. The first member of each team picks up the tongs and uses it to
pick up one shell from the bucket. The children walk carrying the shell
with the tongs to the finish line and carefully place the shell into their
team’s bowl. Then they return to the starting line and pass the tongs to
the next team member who repeats the steps. If the child drops the
shell in route, they need to pick it up and complete the relay. The game
ends when all the children have completed the relay and returned to the
starting line with their team. Each team then counts the number of
shells in the bowl.
What Type of Water
Listen to a water cassette tape - look in your local record store for
environmental sound tapes. Listen to the different sounds of the ocean,
waterfalls, a rolling brook, etc. Show pictures of the different types
of water. Look for pictures in magazines, catalogs or old calendars.

Variation on this activity: Provide a blue streamer to each child and they
can move their arms up and down or move around the room to the music.
Music and Movement
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
24
Going Fishing
Copy, color and laminate several fish patterns. Write a word on each fish
with a wipe-off marker. The words can be sight words, spelling words,
vocabulary about the ocean, or new words that the children are learning.
Attach an adhesive magnet or paper clip to each fish and tie a magnet to
a string on a child’s fishing pool. Spread the fish out on the floor, on a
blue bed sheet, inside a wading pool, or in a hoola hoop. Each child takes
a turn catching a fish with the fishing pole. When the child catches a
fish, the child says the word and/or uses the word in a sentence. (Older
children can write the words and/or sentence on the class board.) Use
the fish again and again as the vocabulary changes.
Fish Patterns
Music and Movement
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
25
Wish Shell
You will need one medium to large-sized shell for this activity and copies
of the shell pattern below. Talk about wishes. Tell the children that a
wish is something you hope might happen. Give an example: “I wish….”
Some people once believed that rubbing a shell or another object may
make their wish come true. Let’s pretend today that we are going to
make a wish. Pass the shell to each child and, as they rub the shell, ask
them to tell you their wish, record

the wishes on a shell pattern and
display them on a class board
with the heading “Our Shell
Wish List.”
Library and Writing
Early Childhood Thematic Books: Ocean Adventures
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company