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| Didax "Class Ideas" Newsletter Archive |
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Oceans! What a fun classroom theme to be thinking about as summer starts! There is just so much to learn about Earth?s oceans and their critters. I can imagine making it a yearlong theme, tying in geography, science, language arts, math, social studies and the arts. Use your imagination to weave together this cross-curricular theme. To get you started, this month's Class Ideas offers articles, free resources and some select Internet resources so that you can create your own unique lessons. Maybe you could even thrill your students with a class trip to the seaside or to an aquarium.
This is a favorite theme for us here at Didax. We?re located in Rowley on the North Shore of Massachusetts, about 30 miles or so from Boston. The ocean is very much part of our lives; we look forward to the fresh clams, lobsters and fish that are found within a few miles of our office The local economy relies heavily upon tourism, fishing and boating.
Thanks for reading and if you have anything you?d like to see covered in our newsletter, please send me an email. Perhaps you?ve even had particular luck with an ocean-related activity you'd like to share. We?re always looking for new ideas!
Anna Mullen, Editor |
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| Under the Ocean: A Trip to the Aquarium |
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 By Carolyn Hogg
Education Officer
Underwater World, Perth, Australia
Those that are lucky enough to live in coastal areas can observe the ocean and its coastal wildlife in its natural environment. Yet, for those that life in the cities and inland areas, being able to observe animals in the marine environment can be difficult. Aquariums around the country provide a unique opportunity for adults and children to experience the world beneath the waves. Many believe that a visit to an aquarium or zoo is something for a biology or science class, but there are many aspects that are connected with animals and the natural environment that can be used in a variety of classes.
The aquarium can provide the opportunity to learn the alphabet, enhance observation skills and give awareness about the sea. The best method of preparing your class for the visit is to find out from the facility that you are going to visit what some of their major displays include and what interesting animals or exhibits they have. Perhaps a pre-visit by the staff will provide an opportunity to develop ideas that can be incorporated into a term theme.
Before visiting the aquarium, you may like to ask the children to describe the different animals they can find in the ocean. For older students, perhaps use the Internet or other technology to find out more about the sea. There are a variety of activities that can be conducted prior to your visit. Some examples are:
1. The children can be allocated into groups and then give each group a sea animal name, for example, Mr. Smith?s group are the dolphins. Give a dolphin cutout to each student in the group and get each child to color it and write their name. This makes life easier for the teachers and chaperones once in the facility.
2. Have a series of pictures of terrestrial and marine animals. Use these to discuss the differences between how they move, how they breathe and generally how they live in their different environments.
Once at the facility, there are many different things that can be done. Most facilities will meet a school group and let them know the ins and outs and dos and don?ts of the facility. At this point, the class is usually divided up and the groups go to various areas of the aquarium. Worksheets can be designed specific to what is at the facility.
Favorite tasks can range from doing dot-to-dot and coloring for the younger grades (K and 1) and perhaps drawing and answering simple questions for the older grades (2 and 3). Other common tasks are filling in the missing body parts of animals that can be found at the facility and determining how fast or slow animals swim and why. Of course, the size of the aquarium you visit determines the different animals you will find there and the extent of the activities one can engage in.
Once the class has returned to the classroom, there is an unlimited range of activities. For several weeks after the visit the children can participate in tasks that allow them to remember what they saw on their visit. To learn the alphabet, a large mural can be made with each child drawing an animal of a specific letter of the alphabet. Other activities can include: making cards that are the same and playing snap; making shoebox aquariums with animals they have seen at the aquarium; and making face masks which have the colors of a particular fish.
All in all, a trip to an aquarium can provide a unique teaching platform that enhances the children?s appreciation of the ocean realm. For further details about making an aquarium visit, contact your local aquarium. |
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| WaterPlay |
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 Water play activities are an important and valuable part of every early years classroom. Although a water area is often evident in preschool classes, some teachers of elementary classes remain hesitant to undertake water activities because of classroom constraints ? space, lack of equipment, the mess, etc.
Access to a water play area is essential for teachers who believe in the importance of child-centered education, based on the interests and experiences of the students. Even a simple water tray with basic equipment can be made more interesting with a few drops of liquid food coloring and a little dishwashing liquid.
It is worth making the effort to find an area and time in the year?s curriculum to fit in practical water activities. Term 1 is usually warmer and activities can take place in a suitable spot in the playground.
Activities need to be well planned and well supervised. This is when you need to ask your parent representatives to round up volunteers! A note to parents asking for a spare set of clothes to be kept in the room for the duration of the topic is also useful.
Rules
It is essential to establish a few simple dos and don?ts before undertaking water activities, such as tidying up afterwards, where, when, who, how many children at a time, etc.
Equipment
This can be labeled (with a permanent marker) and be kept in a suitable container (e.g. large plastic crate). Suggested equipment includes:
? Water tray/trolley
? Buckets (large and small)
? Containers (varied in size and shape and including both standard and non-standard measures)
? Plastic colanders/sieves
? Plastic bottles (different sizes and some with holes)
? Jugs/teapots
? Plastic tubing (preferably transparent)
? Scoops/spoons
? Plastic aprons
? Floor mop
? Watering can
? Corks
? Droppers
? Food coloring
? Sponges
(If this equipment is used for sand play as well, it will have to be washed before being used in the water area.)
Early Stages
All children have some experience of water play before entering school ? bath time, pool, sea/beach, rain, etc. Children are often not ready for formal activities but should be encouraged to explore and make observations during free play. You can help develop these experiences through discussion, careful questioning and helpful suggestions. At this stage, some children may be reluctant to join in with others. Water play is a fun way to encourage children to interact and cooperate as well as to promote imaginative and creative play.
More Formal Stages
These can be introduced more successfully if children have had many opportunities for free play. You need to plan stages of development carefully and can use workcards or worksheets to detail the instructions for each activity, plus the equipment needed.
A suggested plan of development is:
? The nature of water
? Floating and sinking
? Absorption
? Capacity
Recording
Students may report their observations orally or record pictorially or in written form, depending on age, ability and the task. You may also choose to photograph individuals or small groups. |
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| Ocean Art |
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 Crumpled Paper Water Scene
You will need:
Newpapers, paints, water, brushes, scissors, glue, white construction paper, dark blue or colored construction paper (optional), flat ice cream lids, fine black felt-tipped pen
What to do:
1. Choose paints in colors needed to create a water scene (for example, green for seaweed, orange for fish). Thin paints with a little water and place on the flat ice cream lids. Mix colors to create custom colors that you may want.
2. Crumple a sheet of newspaper to about the size of a tennis ball. Make several of these and put aside as they can get soggy and often need replacing. Use clean crumpled newspaper for each new color.
3. Press the newspaper ?ball? into the paint and dab over the white paper until covered as desired.
4. Repeat, using different colors on different sheets of paper, until the desired papers created. Create depth by dabbing one color on top of a dry different-colored area.
5. Cut the dry painted paper into desired shapes for the water scene. Glue the shapes onto colored construction paper or a full sheet of painted background paper. Highlight special features or shapes with a felt-tipped pen. Create water scenes like a coral reef, aquarium or an underwater ocean panorama.
Hand Print Crabs
You will need:
Tempera paints, construction paper, fine black felt-tipped pen
What to do:
1. Paint the palm of each hand (helpers may be needed!) using a chosen color. Make sure to cover fingertips and thumbs.
2. Press hands, pointing in opposite directions, onto the paper. Overlap palms slightly and point thumbs down.
3. Use other colors to add interesting features such as claws and a face.
4. Use a felt-tipped pen to outline or add any special features when dry.
5. Create other handprint animals (e.g. a fish) and use as part of an ocean display. |
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| Free Ocean-Themed Activities |
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 This month we've collected activities from some of our popular themed reproducible books. Simply download, photocopy and hand out to students for instant Ocean-related lessons! |
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| Great Ocean-Related Resources |
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 To help you get ready to teach the ocean theme in your classroom, we have found some great ocean-related websites. Check them out to find some interesting background information and activity ideas! |
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| August Newsletter Theme: Back to School! |
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| Next month, Class Ideas will provide you with great ideas and resources to help you get the next school year off to a super start! |
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