Set the scene by hanging the inflatable ocean animals from the ceiling. Tap into prior knowledge by having children share what they already know about turtles. Then encourage children to discuss additional things they would like to learn about turtles. Guide them in comparing and contrasting the toy turtles with any real turtles they may have seen. Then, children can match the turtles’ shells to the shapes on their backs. Prompt children to determine whether the toy turtles, crabs and fish have similar body shapes to any of the animals on the ocean animal cards. Finally, let the class play with the toy animals in the water.
Introduce your class to animal habitats and their own environment at the same time. Explore the neighborhoods of birds, mammals and sea creatures with the Animal Tracks Activity Set. Ask children to describe their own neighborhoods. Use Animal Tracks Stamps to map out the daily paths and activities of different creatures. Children can trace their own footprints and count how many steps they take around the room, around the playground or at home. Roll the Ocean Animal Cubes and let each child write a story about the animals pictured. Children will love to hold the Jumbo Ocean Animals, so pass them around and have the class chart whether each creature lives on land or sea, eats meat or vegetables, or prefers warm or cold weather. Keep track of their responses and introduce new vocabulary on your word wall. Finish off the lesson with a game of matching tracks or habitat to a creature
Teach life science concepts alongside early math and literacy. Use the magnetic letters and board to spell new words related to ocean animals. Then, keep children active as they identify shapes, colors and animals and explore deductive reasoning with Jump ‘N’ Jam Jungle™. Children can then sort the classifying cards and compare Smart Splash® animals to photos of real animals. Encourage children to practice matching skills by comparing sand mold shapes to shapes on Jump ‘N’ Jam Jungle. For an extension activity, hang ocean inflatables in a writing center and have children write and illustrate ocean animal stories in their journals.
