Are you looking for some ocean thematic unit ideas to use in your classroom? Create a thematic unit about oceans across all the curricular areas.
From literature list to art projects, have your students explore the theme about oceans. Check this list to explore some wonderful ocean unit ideas that can be used with this wonderful theme.
1. Ocean Themed Literature Lists
An ocean thematic unit has so many wonderful choices for literature. You could create a literature-based thematic unit based on one of the numerous ocean-themed stories. Here are just a few ocean books.
Ocean Literature List
- Commotion in the Ocean: Giles Andreae
- Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef: Marianne Berkes
- A House for Hermit Crab: Eric Carle
- Mister Seahorse: Eric Carle
- Hello Ocean: Pam Munoz Ryan
- I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean: Kevin Sherry
- Who Eats What? Patricia Lauber
- In the Sea: David Elliott
- Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea: Jan Peck
- Somewhere in the Ocean: Jennifer Ward
2. Ocean Language Arts Centers & Activities
There are numerous language arts centers and activities that can be used with an ocean thematic unit. From classroom-made books to phonic games students will enjoy the variety of centers and activities while learning about the oceans of the world. Check out this list!
Ocean Themed Language Arts Centers & Activities
- Ocean Writing Word Bank
- “Oceans” Classroom Book
- “Ocean Senses” Student Booklet
- Ocean Student Story
- Ocean Venn Diagrams Graphic Organizers
- Ocean Beginning, Middle & Ending Story Graphic Organizers
- Ocean Sequence Story Retelling Graphic Organizers
- Ocean Beginning Sound Capital & Lowercase Match Games
- Ocean Make a Short Vowel Word Family Game
- Ocean Short Vowel Sounds Roll It! Read It! Words & Sentences
- Ocean Rhyming Word Games
- Ocean Build a Word Game
3. Ocean Mathematics Centers and Activities
Let us look at some ocean mathematics centers and activities that you could use with your students. These activities could be used with lower elementary students, along with special education students depending on their skill level. Try one of these ocean thematic unit math activities with your students!
Ocean Themed Math Centers & Activities:
- Ocean Counting Student Booklet
- Ocean Ten Frame Roll & Cover Game
- Ocean Number & Number Word Match Game
- Ocean Counting Games
- Ocean Number & Ten Frames Matching Game
- Ocean Roll & Cover Math Games
- Ocean Addition & Subtractions Facts Clip Game
- Ocean Build 2-Addend Addition & Subtraction Sentences
- Ocean Build 2-Addend Addition & Subtractions Sentences with Ten Frames
- Ocean Build 3-Addend Addition & Subtraction Sentences
- Ocean 5 In a Row Math Game Cards: 2 & 3 Addends
- Ocean Roll & Bump Math Games: 2 & 3 Addends
4. Ocean Science & Social Studies Centers & Activities
The ocean theme is a great unit to do investigations in science and social studies. There are several ocean activities that you can do with your students that promote learning in these areas. Here are some suggestions for you!
Ocean Themed Science & Social Studies Centers & Activities
- Ocean Writing Word Bank
- “Ocean Senses” Student Booklet
- “Oceans” Classroom Book
- Ocean Animals Research Project
- Ocean Animals Fact Student Booklets
- Ocean Currents Activities
- Ocean Waves Experiments
- Saltwater Density Activities
- Ocean Zones in a Bottle
- Ocean Layers Paint Strips
5. Ocean Art & Technology Centers & Activities
Have you ever thought of doing art projects with an ocean theme? Students will love to create ocean-themed art projects along with using technology to work on learning skills in this theme. Look at these ideas for you!
Ocean Themed Art & Technology Centers & Activities
- Ocean Acrostic Poems Project
- Whale Paper Plate Art Project
- Coral Reef Painting with Sponges
- Ocean in a Bottle
- Ocean Virtual Aquarium Field Trip
- Ocean Letter & Sound Match BOOM & Task Cards
- Ocean Counting Google Slides
- Ocean Build a Word BOOM Cards
- Ocean Number & Ten Frame Match BOOM & Task Cards
- Ocean Addition & Subtraction Google Slides
Grab your Free, Ocean Math Dice Games Here!
In summary, there are many engaging ocean thematic unit ideas. You and your children can explore the units with books, centers, and activities. Whatever theme you choose, your students will have a wonderful time discovering with the literature and activities you choose.
Find some more Thematic Units and ideas in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more topics about thematic units check out my blog, “Why Use Thematic Units In Your Classroom or Home School?”
