There’s no doubt that sharks are high interest for kids. But how do we use that high interest to engage learning without giving young children nightmares?
I have a 5-year-old granddaughter and two toddler grandchildren. We all live near the ocean, so our ocean unit has been especially interesting for us. But I don’t want my grandchildren to be afraid to go near the ocean when we’re finished. So I’ve been searching for shark activities and resources that are high interest, non-scary, and show the value of having sharks in our oceans. I’ve found some that we all love!
Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links (at no cost to you).
Introductory Non-Scary Shark Materials
Shark Lady Book, American Museum of Natural History’s Shark Board Book, and Schleich Shark
- American Museum of Natural History Sharks Board Book (gorgeous book for toddlers and preschoolers with interesting facts, stunning photographs, and cutout pages showing the relative sizes of the various types of sharks)
- Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist (My 5-year-old granddaughter, Zoey, loves this award-winning book. It tells the story of Eugenie Clark who spent her life studying zoology and working to prove that sharks weren’t mindless killers but beautiful animals that should be appreciated and protected. Recommended for ages 4-8.)
- Schleich Shark (pictured is the great white shark)
The Shleich shark is for my 16-month-old and 19-month-old toddler grandkids. They both love it! For preschool-age and older kids, I tend to use the Safari Ltd. TOOB figures – Ocean TOOB and/or Sharks TOOB.
Materials Used for Shark Tooth Dig
The Big Book of the Blue with National Geographic Shark Tooth Dig Kit Materials
- The Big Book of the Blue (This is an oversize book with engaging illustrations and many interesting facts; has a sardine hidden on 15 pages for extra fun. Recommended for preschool through grade 2.)
- National Geographic Shark Tooth Dig Kit (includes shark-shaped clay dig brick, chisel, brush, magnifying glass, and learning guide)
- Safety glasses or goggles (I recommend them because of the dust and possibility of flying clay pieces)
- Child-size apron. (Zoey is wearing a Montessori Services apron.)
- Multicraft Tray
- Wax paper with cardboard underneath, paper plate, or newspapers for work surface
Shark Tooth Excavation Work
Excavating a Shark Tooth Using the National Geographic Shark Tooth Dig Kit
I didn’t have a paper plate or newspapers as recommended in the kit, so I just placed wax paper on the table. I’d recommend placing a layer of cardboard underneath the wax paper. Zoey didn’t damage my table at all, but many children could.
Finding a Shark Tooth in the National Geographic Shark Tooth Dig Kit
Zoey loved finding the shark teeth!
Completing the Intricate Brush Work with an Excavated Shark Tooth
The brush works well for the detailed work of cleaning each tooth. Afterward, Zoey spontaneously washed off each tooth, so the teeth were ready to place on a tray for future observation.
Materials Used for Montessori Tray with Excavated Shark Teeth, Shark Reference Materials, and Who Am I? Shark Cards
Excavated Shark Teeth with Shark Reference Materials and Who Am I? Shark Cards
- Information pages from the back of Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist
- Excavated sand tiger shark tooth, crow shark (extinct) tooth, and Otodus obliquus (extinct) tooth in bamboo condiment cup (I use this cup and all my trays for many activities)
- Magnifying glass from the Shark Tooth Dig Kit
- Who Am I? Shark Cards from Montessori-Inspired Shark Unit Printable Pack Bundle from Every Star Is Different (The 74-page Montessori-Inspired Shark Unit Printable Pack Bundle has lots and lots of engaging shark information and activities for preschoolers through elementary-age kids!)
- Montessori cards display box
We love the Who Am I? Shark Cards, so I added them to the tray. All the reference materials I’ve shown here are great for showing an appreciation of sharks. Zoey loved the work and didn’t find it frightening at all.
More Shark and Ocean Resources and Activities
- The Ultimate Montessori-Inspired Shark Unit
- Free Ocean Printables and Montessori-Inspired Ocean Activities
- The Best Ocean Books for Kids
- Free Ocean Animal Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Free Octopus Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Non-Scary and Montessori-Friendly Resources for a Shark Tooth Dig
- Free Ocean Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Relaxing Ocean Images, Sounds, and Music for Kids and Adults {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Ocean Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Montessori-Inspired Ocean Unit
- Montessori-Inspired Beach Language Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Resources for World Oceans Day
- Montessori-Inspired Ocean Math Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Turtle Activities
- Shells and Starfish Activities + Free Printable from Montessori By Mom
- Free Shark Printables and Montessori-Inspired Shark Activities
- Shark Water-Bead Number or Letter Sensory Bin
- Farm, Zoo, & Ocean Animal Sensory Bottles for Babies and Toddlers
- Montessori-Inspired Toddler Geography Activities with Baby Beluga
- Coral Reef Kit and Sensory Bin
- Letters and Words in the Sand {Montessori-Inspired Beach Phonics Fun}
- Wonderful Whale and Water-Bead Sensory Bin {Free Printables}
- Seashell and Sea Life Nature Tray: How to Teach Vocabulary Using the 3-Period Lesson
- Free Turtle Printables and Montessori-Inspired Turtle Activities
- Free Turtle Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Free Turtle Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Seashell Color Matching {Easy-to-Prepare Variation of Montessori Color Box 3}
- DIY Coral Reef Water Table with Practical Life Activities
- The Ultimate Montessori-Inspired Shark Unit
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