Learning About the Ocean, with Some Cross-Curricular Fun!

Hi, Teaching Friends!

It's time to hit the beach, or, as we say here in NJ, head down the shore! An ocean theme is a terrific way to end the school year. Here are some sites that will help you fill your theme with memorable activities.

National Geographic has six terrific lessons designed specifically for K-2.

My husband and I visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California last year - what a fantastic place!! I've used their resources with my class for so long that I felt kind of goofily star-struck there... classically teacher nerdy, I know. Their online resources - all aligned to the science standards - are extensive and thorough. Here's a link to a lesson for making a tide pool in a dishpan.

Monterey Bay's site also has cool printables like Sea Searchers.  Don't miss their webcam for some real action. You've got to see those dipping and diving penguins!


You'll find a printable Ocean Alphabet Book and ocean mini-books for emergent readers at Teacher Stuff A to Z.


Looking for read alouds? This Sweet Life has assembled a great list of fifty books for you to choose from! One of my favorites, Humphrey the Lost Whale by Wendy Tokuda, is on the list.

I'm a big fan of cross-curricular teaching, so here's my newest math resource, with an ocean theme! With this partner game, your students will solve and sort addition expressions to find the ones that are sums of ten.  You can find it here!

Here's a set of ocean riddles, a great way to integrate science teaching with reading comprehension skills like identifying key details,  making inferences, and drawing conclusions. These riddles are illustrated with photos - kids love them! Click here to see the details!

If you're looking for more cross-curricular resources about the ocean, I hope you'll take a look at my Oceans of Fun unit study, 25 math and literacy activities to support your science teaching about the ocean.

                                              Click here to see it at Teachers Pay Teachers.


Aaaaaand... just in case you want them all... you'll save a lot by buying them in this bundle. :)

Do you use beach or ocean activities in your class? Please share an idea!

Happy Teaching!