Are you looking for some ocean children’s books to use in your classroom that includes literacy extension activities? This list may be just what you are looking for!
Oceans is an important topic for many people. It is filled with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these ocean books already, but hopefully, some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Explore with your children the theme of oceans by trying these engaging books and some of the extension activities suggested.
1. Commotion in the Ocean by Giles Andreae
This wonderful collection of poems includes fun rhymes about the creatures who live in and around the ocean. The colorful illustrations will delight children as they discover some wonderful facts about the animals of the sea.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: In the Ocean
- Ocean Animals Real & Nonsense Word Sort
- Octopus Art Project
- Ocean Animals Counting Games
2. Hello Ocean by Pam Munoz Ryan
Spend a day at the beach and take in the ocean through the senses. Take a lively romp through the waves and same using your sight, hearing, feeling, taste, and smell.
This beautiful, illustrated book of water, sun, and sky accompanies brief verses. This perfect keepsake of a seaside vacation or a striking introduction to the pleasures of a day by the ocean.
Literacy Extensions:
- Ocean Writing Station Words
- Ocean Student Counting Booklet
- Ocean Mobile Art Project
- Ocean Roll & Cover Math Game
3. Somewhere in the Ocean by Jennifer Ward
Set to the traditional tune of “Over in the Meadow”, Somewhere in the Ocean will teach young children much more than how to count from one to ten as they follow ocean-dwelling mothers and their offspring throughout their days.
Complete with a glossary, musical score, and numbers hidden in the illustrations, the story introduces readers to an array of marine life in their natural habitat.
Literacy Extensions:
- Ocean Literature List
- Student Booklet: “In the Ocean”
- Ocean Counting: How Many Animals?” Google Slides
- My Ocean Story: Student Worksheets
4. I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry
When a giant squid takes inventory of all of the creatures in the ocean, he realizes that he’s way bigger than most of them! Of course, there are bigger things lurking around but maybe this giant squid doesn’t really care?
This first-time author-illustrator is sure to garner fans of all sizes for his perfect-for-preschool read-aloud with simple text. The illustrations are bold and delightful collage art. Enjoy the adventures of this lovable squid whose spirit just cannot be crushed.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “My Favorite Ocean Animal”
- Octopus Acrostic Poem
- Ocean Roll It! Read It! Short Vowels
- Whale Paper Plate Project
5. In the Sea by David Elliot
The briny deep is home to an enormous variety of fascinating creatures, from the dainty sea horse to the fearsome shark. In striking woodcut illustrations, diverse creatures glide through blue and green waters.
This book of poetry examines the animal’s behavior and interactions. The author and illustrator examine the depths of the ocean in a collection of poems sure to thrill budding oceanographers.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Oceans” Student Booklet
- Oceans Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- Oceans Sight Word Match Game
- Oceans Number & Ten Frames BOOM
6. Who Eats What? By Patricia Lauber
This informative and intriguing science book teaches children to think about the complex web of life on Earth. Every link in a food chain is important because each living thing depends on others for survival.
No matter how big or how small the web of life exists. The book contains simple text and lively drawings to examine, who eats what?
Literacy Extensions:
- Oceans Word Bank
- Oceans Literature Retelling Organizer Student Page
- Oceans Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- Oceans Roll & Cover Math Games
7. Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef by Marianne Berkes
The coral reef is a marine nursery, teeming with mamas and babies! In the age-old way of kids and fish, children will count and clap to the rhythm of the text.
Puffer fish “puff,” grunt fish “grunt” and seahorses “flutter” in this colorful book. The art is fresh, and fun constructed entirely from claylike material and inviting to young readers.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Oceans” Classroom Book
- Ocean Venn Diagram
- Ocean Sight Word Match Game
- Ocean Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea by Jan Peck
The young sea diver in this book encounters many sea creatures while hunting for treasure in the deep blue sea. He finds out that not every creature is friendly, just watch out for that shark! Fortunately for the diver, he is safe and sound in his own bathtub.
Literacy Extensions:
- Ocean Writing Station Words
- “I See Ocean Animals” Student Counting Booklet
- Ocean Animals Mobile Art Project
- Ocean Roll & Cover Math Game
Grab your Free, Ocean Student Counting Booklet Here!
Finally, there are so many ocean children’s books you can choose from. From ocean fiction to nonfiction, the list of books is endless. Remember to pick the books that best fit the needs of your students or children and support your learning activities. Happy Reading!
Find some more literacy and extension activities in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more blog topics check out my blog, “A Guide to Using Literature-Based Units of Study.”
