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Why an ocean animals unit study? Here we sit in the Midwest. No ocean for hundreds of miles. Still, we are fascinated by the beach, the sand, the salt water, and the creatures that live in and around it all.
We love to walk the beach looking for shells, fish, and other interesting things that wash up with the waves giving us clues to what is out there in the water. The kids like to put on their swim goggles and try to spot fish near the shore and dig up sand dollars. At the nearby fishing pier, we can watch fishermen pull in all kinds of fish large and small.
In the sand dunes, we search for sea turtle nests that have been marked by a local sea turtle conservation organization. Flying overhead we see birds like gulls and pelicans. At night, we take our flashlights on the beach to spot ghosts crabs.
Using vacations as an educational experience is easy when you have so much to see and experience in one place. We let the kids explore and observe by themselves and see what they are interested in. Sometimes, they will get curious while you are planning. If you are getting ready to hit the beach soon, you can use the resources in this post to create a unit study of your own to get the kids excited about the ocean or capitalize on the interest they already have.
Creating An Ocean Animals Unit Study
When creating my own unit study, I like to have a backbone or spine to work from. I find that the more basic the better for us, since we like to follow rabbit trails of new interests – a lot. Often, I will choose a resource geared toward younger learners for my older children. I do this because resources for younger learners are usually more basic and don’t get too detailed. This way, we can add the details.
Ocean Animal Links And Resources
We have listed these ocean animal and other ocean-related resources by grade level if we felt a resource was definitely at a preschool level, elementary level, or middle & high school level. We also have a section for multi-ages.
Preschool Level Ocean Animals Resources
FloridaPanhandle.com has some very creative preschool printables and activities
K-5 Level Ocean Animals Resources
FloridaPanhandle.com has lots of activities and printables for grades K-2nd and grades and grades 3-5
Ocean Portal – National Geographic Kids
The Ocean’s Weirdest Creatures – National Geographic Kids
While searching for information about ocean animals, we came across some great resources for multiple ages:
Ocean Animal Encyclopedia – Oceana.org Excellent photos for younger children, brief descriptions and longer descriptions make this a resource multiple ages in your homeschool or group can use.
Marine Species Database – MarineBio.org This is another resource that can be used for a variety of ages. There are some animal behavior videos on some of the pages (check out the penguins and pelicans), as well as in-depth information for the more advanced learner.
Ocean Portal – National Geographic Kids
The Ocean’s Weirdest Creatures – National Geographic Kids
Studying Sea Turtles – The Homeschool Scientist – We have a list of activities and resources!
Shark Unit Study Links – The Homeschool Scientist
Ocean Animal Art And Crafts
Most of these crafts and activities are designed for young learners, but, seriously, my middle and high schooler still love a good craft!
Ocean Animal Crafts – DLTK-Kids.com
Sea Animal Crafts and Activities – BuggyAndBuddy.com
Sea Turtle Art – The Homeschool Scientist
Sea Shore Chalk Pastel Video Art Course – ChalkPastel.com
Ocean Animals Field Guides
I’ll admit. I have a serious field guide addiction, but what is a nature study without one?
I am not sure of what my older ones’ favorite animals, but my youngest’s I think is the turtle.
My kids loved turtles when they were younger. That was the inspiration for my turtle posts when I first started the blog.
Mine likes sharks
I have one that is fascinated by sharks and the other one is terrified at the thought. We don’t talk about sharks around here while preparing for our beach vacation. lol
My twins both agreed on jellyfish and sea cucumbers. They saw a video of me diving though jellyfish and holding a sea cucumber so I think that’s why. Since I can’t dive any more, it’s fun to learn about sea animals though their eyes. 🙂
Sea cucumber. Very interesting. I don’t know much about them, so I’m off to find out!
They are pretty funny looking, and a little squishy lol They are like a big fat caterpillar.
He claims that the sting ray is his favorite.
My kids are fans of sting rays since petting them at the St. Louis Zoo.
Oh, mine love Stingray Bay! Can’t wait for them to open this season!
My children love frogs
One loves the Sharks and the other loves the sea turtles. I think the jellyfish are really fascinating!! Thank you so much for the opportunity!
Caraline recently start liking seahorses but she has always loved dolphins
My daughter loves turtles and my son loves sharks! ❤
Starfish and anemone.
SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS
My youngest son loves everything about ocean life but, his all-time favorite is sharks. Mine? Sharks also. Twins? Turtles.
My boys love sharks, sea turtles and whales
My kids definitely like sharks because of the teeth.
My daughter loves all aquatic animals, my son however loves whales.
Stingrays
They love dolphins and whales.
My kids’ favorite ocean animals is a dolphin
Sea turtles and octopus!
My kids like Dolphins.