National Aquarium Unit Study
- WeChoseAdventures
- Jul 20
- 4 min read
National Aquarium Unit Study: PreK–Grade 8
Aligned with Maryland State Curriculum Standards
🐠 Preschool Unit Study (PreK3–PreK4)
📚 Book Recommendations
Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle
Commotion in the Ocean by Giles Andreae
Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea by Jan Peck
✍️ Language Arts & Pre-Writing
Story Circle – Read an ocean-themed book aloud and name a favorite sea creature from the story.
Ocean Animal Vocabulary Match – Match pictures to animal names or sounds (e.g., point to the dolphin when hearing the name).
Ocean Mural Dictation – Describe what is seen in an aquarium photo or book, and an adult writes the words onto a mural or poster.
🧪 Science
Saltwater Sink or Float – Test common objects in salt vs. freshwater (safe with close supervision).
Ocean Animal Movement – Pretend to swim, crawl, or slither like different ocean animals; observe which ones use fins, flippers, or tentacles.
Ocean Color Sorting – Use blue, green, and coral-colored items to create collages based on sea colors.
🔢 Math
Count the Creatures – Count toy fish, turtles, etc. (1–10) and sort by size or color.
Build-a-Fish Puzzle – Use felt pieces to assemble fish by shape and color.
Number Aquarium – Match number cards to toy sea animals placed in a “fishbowl.”
🎨 Art
Handprint Octopus – Paint a hand and add three more legs with a brush to create an 8-legged octopus print.
Jellyfish Craft – Use cupcake liners and streamers to create jellyfish mobiles.
Bubble Wrap Fish Prints – Dip bubble wrap in paint and press onto paper to mimic scales.
🌍 Social Studies
Who Takes Care of the Ocean? – Introduce the idea of conservation with books and videos.
Animal Homes – Match sea animals to their environments (coral reefs, open ocean, seaweed beds).
Dress Like a Diver – Explore safe scuba gear using dress-up play.
📌 Maryland PreK Standard Codes Referenced: Science: PK.3.3, PK.3.4 Math: PK.CC.1–3 Language Arts: PK.RL.1, PK.W.1 Social Studies: PK.3.1 Fine Arts: PK.FA.1
🐢 Elementary School Unit Study (Grades K–5)
📚 Book Recommendations
Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne
Shark Lady by Jess Keating
Ocean: A Photicular Book by Dan Kainen
✍️ Language Arts
Write a Sea Creature Report – Choose a favorite animal from the visit and write 1–3 paragraphs.
Ocean Poetry – Acrostic poem using “AQUARIUM” or “OCEAN.”
My Aquarium Adventure – Narrative journal entry describing what might be seen or was seen at the aquarium.
🧪 Science
Animal Adaptations Flipbook – Illustrate and describe unique adaptations (e.g. ink from an octopus, jellyfish stingers).
Water Cycle + Ocean – Diagram how ocean water moves through the water cycle.
Ocean Zones Diorama – Create a shoebox model of sunlight, twilight, and midnight zones with labeled animals.
🔢 Math
Bar Graph of Favorite Animals – Graph favorite ocean creatures from a sample of responses.
Aquarium Budgeting – Use pretend money to “buy” tickets, snacks, and souvenirs with prices listed.
Measurement Match – Estimate and compare animal sizes (e.g., “How long is a stingray?”).
🎨 Art
Paper Plate Aquarium – Use cutouts, yarn, and drawings to make a mini-aquarium craft.
Clay Sea Creatures – Sculpt simple ocean animals using safe modeling clay.
Coral Reef Collage – Use tissue paper and textured materials to build a reef landscape.
🌍 Social Studies
Marine Jobs Match – Match aquarium workers to their roles (vet, aquarist, educator).
Conservation Case Study – Learn about endangered sea turtles and write or draw a fact page.
Ocean Map Exploration – Label continents and oceans, and mark animal habitats on a world map.
📌 Maryland Elementary Standard Codes Referenced: Science: 3.1.1, 4.3.2 Math: 2.MD.D.10, 3.MD.B.3 Language Arts: W.3.2, RL.4.1 Social Studies: 3.C.1, 4.G.1 Fine Arts: FA2.CR1.1
🐬 Middle School+ Unit Study (Grades 6–8)
📚 Book Recommendations
World Without Fish by Mark Kurlansky
Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion by Loree Griffin Burns
The Brilliant Deep by Kate Messner
✍️ Language Arts
Informative Essay – Research and write about an animal’s role in the ecosystem.
Creative Narrative – Write a first-person story from the perspective of a sea creature.
Which Animal Should Be the Aquarium’s Mascot? – Write a persuasive essay with supporting facts.
🧪 Science
Ecosystem Web Mapping – Build a diagram showing predator-prey relationships.
Ocean Acidification Demo – Use vinegar and chalk to observe acid reaction (safe and simple).
Plastic Pollution Case Study – Research effects on marine life and propose solutions.
🔢 Math
Conservation by the Numbers – Use real aquarium data to calculate species populations and threats.
Depth Zones Chart – Graph animal sightings by ocean depth.
Percent Survival Models – Explore survival rates of hatchlings using probability.
🎨 Art
Gyotaku-Style Fish Prints – Create traditional Japanese fish art with rubber molds or templates.
Mixed-Media Marine Art – Use recycled materials to design ocean-inspired artwork.
Perspective Aquarium Drawing – Practice art concepts like scale and proportion to sketch a 3D aquarium scene.
🌍 Social Studies
Marine Policy Debate Prep – Research a conservation issue and prepare argument points.
Aquarium Careers Deep Dive – Create a “day in the life” profile of a marine scientist.
Ocean Trade and Travel History – Explore how the ocean shaped global trade routes and ecosystems.
📌 Maryland Standards Referenced
Science: MS-LS2-1, MS-ESS3-3
Math: 6.SP.B.5, 7.RP.A.2
Language Arts: W.6.2, W.7.1
Social Studies: G.1.1.3, H.2.1.1
Art: FA3.CR1.1
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