What better way to get some learning and fun in during the summer than to study the ocean – especially if it includes at least one trip to the beach! A lot of Montessori bloggers have the same idea and have contributed some awesome ideas for a Montessori-inspired ocean unit with activities especially appropriate for preschoolers through early elementary. Of course, an ocean unit is fun at any time of the year.
Montessori-Inspired Resources for an Ocean Unit
Ocean Unit Study Shelf (Photo from Inspired Montessori and Arts at Dundee Montessori)
Inspired Montessori and Arts at Dundee Montessori collected ocean objects for years and used them to create an ocean unit – which you must see to appreciate all the beautiful materials! The photo shows just a few of the ocean materials at Inspired Montessori and Arts at Dundee Montessori.
Spooning “Sea Anemones” Activity (Photo from 1+1+1=1)
1+1+1=1 has many free ocean printables and activities. You’ll find hands-on Montessori-inspired activities such as spooning “sea anemones” (the photo), counting seashells, and transferring fish erasers with tweezers. You can make many of the printables into hands-on activities by cutting them out and adding objects to go with the printables.
Montessori Print Shop has lovely ocean printables available inexpensively.
Book of Ocean Animals (Photo from To the Lesson!)
To the Lesson!has an ocean unit and shows how to make an “Ocean Animals” booklet. To the Lesson also has a saltwater vs. freshwater experiment.
Rainbow Fish Math Game (Photo from The Princess and the Tot)
The Princess and the Tot has lots of Rainbow Fish activity trays.
Playing House has many beach activities. The tot trays in particular have some wonderful Montessori-inspired activities for an ocean unit.
Desert Crafter has lots of activities with seashells.
Counting Coconuts has an island scavenger hunt which could be adapted for any beach.
O is for Octopus Sand Tray
I have a with lots of Montessori-inspired beach language activities (including links to free printables and ideas for a beach unit indoors or outdoors).
Subtract the Fish Tray
I have another post with lots of Montessori-inspired ocean math activities (including links to free printables and ideas for using them to create Montessori-inspired activities).
I have a shark unit study (roundup post with LOTS of activities).
You can find lots of free shark printables in my Free Shark Printables and Montessori-Inspired Shark Activities.
I have a shark water bead number or letter sensory bin.
Sea Shell Counting (Photo by Rachel from Discovery Kidzone Montessori Adventures at PreK + K Sharing)
Rachel from Discovery Kidzone Montessori Adventures has a post at PreK + K Sharing with a Montessori-inspired ocean unit: Under the Sea in the Style of Montessori.
Our Country Road has Summer Fun Montessori Trays, including a number of ocean trays.
Chestnut Grove Academy has lots of ocean posts with Montessori-inspired activities.
Five Hazelnuts has a unit study of Oceans and Seas.
I have Shells and Starfish Activities + Free Printable from Montessori By Mom.
You’ll find one of my toddler granddaughter’s very favorite activity trays here: Montessori-Inspired Toddler Geography with Baby Beluga.
2023 Update: More Ocean Resources and Activities
Free Ocean Printables and Montessori-Inspired Ocean Activities
- 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
- The Best Ocean Books for Kids
- How to Make a Simple Ocean Animal Water Table or Sensory Bin Featuring Sharks
- 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 at the Beach: Numbers and Counters
- 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
- How to Make a Simple Ocean Animal Water Table or Sensory Bin Featuring Sharks
- Free Endangered Animal Printables and Montessori-Inspired Endangered Animal Activities
- Free Seashell Printables and Montessori-Inspired Seashell Activities
- Free Seashell Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Free Seashell Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Ocean-themed, Editable Name and Word Tracing Pack in Print or Cursive
- Montessori-Inspired Dolphin and Whale Resources for Preschool Through Elementary
- Ocean Unit Study Pinterest Board
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Ocean Unit Study Pinterest Board
Ocean Unit Study Pinterest BoardE
I have an Ocean Unit Study Pinterest Board with ocean activities of all types and for all levels.
Summer is a great season to spend time at the beach and to encourage interest in ocean life. Have fun – and let your child lead the way in any study you do this summer! 🙂
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you’ve been awarded the versatile blogger award
http://chestnutgroveacademy.blogspot.com/2011/06/versatile-blogger-award.html
Thanks SO MUCH, Jennifer! I’m honored and truly appreciate it! 🙂
Great post Deb!
Love all the links that you shared!
Kerri
Thanks, Kerri! I had a great time finding all those awesome resources! 🙂
Always love reading!!!
Thanks for your kind comment, Kayla! 🙂
Cute Blog! I loved it so much I decided to follow! Happy Thursday! I would love for you to stop by and check out my blog as well! If you like it you can follow back! Thanks! Hope to blog with you again soon!
http://heavenlysavings.blogspot.com
Thanks for commenting and following, Krista! I’m on my way to visit your blog now! 🙂
Great ideas! Definitely some thought was put into those! We live in the Pacific NW so am fortunate to be able to see lots of sealife at lowtide. My daughter was out yesterday and my son today with their classes. Nothing like hands on.
New follower from the bloghop…thanks for linking up your giveaways!
Thanks for your comment, Tammy! That is definitely the best kind of learning! 🙂
We had a great time trying new foods! I love this list of activities.
Thanks so much! You could have a great unit study with different ethnic markets and cultures! Have a fun summer! 🙂
Those look like tons of fun! I love interactive learning.
Stopping by from Mom Loop.
Thanks! I love that there are so many great hands-on resources for an ocean study. Have a great weekend 🙂
Deb, Thank you for posting this from my blog for teachers. I hope teachers look at my other postings! This summer we are doing a unit on Native Americans and I have great ideas for that topic, also!
Thanks, Carolyn! My family lived in the Black Hills of South Dakota for two years, and we really enjoyed studying Native Americans in our homeschool. I’ll love reading about your Native American unit! 🙂
Thank you soo much for the Follow!!! I love your blog!!! I’ve been looking for awesome ideas and educational outlets for my daughter!!!!
-Three Fabulous Mommies
Thanks for your kind comment, Leslie! Have a great rest of the weekend! 🙂
Thanks for the post and for putting all these ideas in one place. They are all great. I’ve linked up to your post here: http://play2grow.blogspot.com/2011/06/weekly-favorites-for-june-19-2011.html
Thanks so much, Darcey! I really appreciate it! I hope you’re having a wonderful Father’s Day with your family! 🙂