There is something so fascinating and magical about fish. This makes learning about them so much fun for everyone.
My kiddos have loved this Montessori-inspired Fish and Water Unit with Free Printables. They can not get enough of the activities.
At first this was just going to be another fish unit, but it didn't make sense to do that. Fish live in oceans, rivers, lakes and more. This was the perfect time to learn more about water forms.
Here's what we've been up to!
Montessori-inspired Fish and Water Unit with Free Printables
"sh" Sounds of the Ocean
We are almost finished with the Montessori Blue Series, so I thought it'd be okay to introduce a phonogram from the Green Series for this activity. Bulldozer is very interested in letter sounds right now.
In this activity the kiddos will sort through the sea creatures in the bowl. If their name has the "sh" sound, they will place them on the
Montessori Lower Case Double Sandpaper Letters. Those who do not have the "sh" sound in the their name will be placed to the side.
Each creature has it's name written on it as a control. All those with the "sh" sound in their name are fish. Those without the "sh" sound are not.
Safari Ltd TOOB figures used in this activity came from our collection at home.
Dividing Goldfish
The kiddos have now learned how to add, subtract, multiply and divide with ease. I thought our fish unit would be a great time to review some of the operations they've learned.
In this activity the kiddos will divide
Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers among the fish bowls provided to answer the math problems on each card.
Glass Gems are being used for markers in this activity. When finished kiddos can eat one goldfish cracker for every problem they've answered correctly.
Source: I created the printable for this activity as part of my Fish Unit Math Printable Pack 1. This is a subscriber's only freebie. See directions at the bottom of this post on how to access your free copy.
Multiplying Swedish Fish
It seemed only natural to practice our multiplication skills for this unit as well.
The kiddos will use the
Swedish Fish as counters to answer the problems on each card. Clear
Gem Glass Confetti is being used as counters for this activity.
Once again, I permitted the kiddos to have one Swedish Fish for every problem they answered correctly.
Source: I created the printable for this activity as part of my Fish Unit Math Printable Pack 1. This is a subscriber's only freebie. See directions at the bottom of this post on how to access your free copy.
Parts of a Fish
I am amazed by how much my kiddos love our
Montessori Wooden Fish Puzzle
. It is such a fabulous tool in helping the kiddos learn about the parts of a fish. When using this activity the kiddos match up each body part to the cards provided.
Source: The free printable for this activity can be found at
The Helpful Garden.
Fish "Who Am I" Cards
My kiddos love "Who Am I" cards. Bulldozer chooses the activity everyday. I love listening to him read each card to figure out which picture card it matches up with. He's come so far with his reading.
Source: This printable for this activity is part of the
Montessori-inspired Fish Printable Pack Bundle. Please note that updates to this printable have been made. The border is no longer blue.
Fish Dangers Picture and Description Cards
As many know, Dinomite loves learning about predators of all kinds. For this unit he asked to learn about why and when fish are dangerous.
In this activity the kiddos will match up information cards with picture cards. Each information card tells how the fish catches it's prey, if it's dangerous to humans and why.
Source: The printable for this activity is part of the
Montessori-inspired Fish Printable Pack Bundle. Please note that updates to this printable have been made. The border is no longer blue.
Creatures of the Ocean Sort
Princess and Bulldozer have become a little confused about which sea creatures are fish and which ones are not. This activity has helped them a lot.
The kiddos will sort the cards into two columns, "Fish" and "Other." As a control, each card says fish, echinoderm, mammal, etc. on it.
My Book of Continents and Oceans
I never anticipated just how much the kiddos would love this activity. To be completely honest, I was nervous they wouldn't touch it after I presented it. Boy was I wrong. All three kiddos are so proud of their books.
The purpose of the activity is to help the kiddos learn the names of the oceans and where they're located in relation to each continent.
Each page of the book shows a continent with lines above, below, and on each side of it. There the kiddos write which oceans and/or continents surround each other.
A compass is provided on each page as a control, to help them remember which direction they're looking in. To find answers, the kiddos are using our
Explorer World Desk Globe.
Source: Renae created the printable for this activity as part of the Fish Unit 2 Science & Culture Printable Pack 1. This is a subscriber's only freebie. See directions at the bottom of this post on how to access your free copy.
My Book of Land and Water Forms
There are many ways to learn about land and water forms, several of which we've done in the past, however I wanted to take things to the next level this time around.
The kiddos are making their own books of land and water forms, drawing and labeling them on each page. At first they were hesitant, but now they very much enjoy the activity.
Source: Renae created the printable for this activity as part of the Fish Unit 2 Science & Culture Printable Pack 1. This is a subscriber's only freebie. See directions at the bottom of this post on how to access your free copy.
Major Rivers of the World
We've learned about various water forms. The kiddos have learned about oceans. Until now, we hadn't studied rivers.
This activity is an introduction to the subject. There is so much information packed in these cards.
As a control I colored a dot the same color as the Montessori continents on the back of each of the river cards.
Dinomite was so excited to tell me which rivers he already knew about.
Caring for Fish
As part of our unit, we introduced fish into our learning environment. Fish are the first pets the kiddos have ever had. The experience has definitely been an adventure.
I'll be writing about it more in another post soon. But for now, know that the boys each have three fish that they've named and are responsible for.
The day this picture was taken was the glorious day when there was enough algae in the fish tank to buy an algae eater. Who knew that day would be so exciting for the boys. Lol.
For those interested in the printables for this unit, follow the directions below.
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We hope you enjoy your free printable.
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