Montessori-Inspired Ocean Unit

What better way to get some learning and fun in during the summer than to study the ocean – especially if it includes at least one trip to the beach! A lot of Montessori bloggers have the same idea and have contributed some awesome ideas for a Montessori-inspired ocean unit with activities especially appropriate for preschoolers through early elementary. Of course, an ocean unit is fun at any time of the year.

Montessori-Inspired Resources for an Ocean Unit

Inspired Montessori and Arts at Dundee Montessori collected ocean objects for years and used them to create an ocean unit – which you must see to appreciate all the beautiful materials! The photo shows just a few of the ocean materials at Inspired Montessori and Arts at Dundee Montessori.

1+1+1=1 has many free ocean printables and activities. You’ll find hands-on Montessori-inspired activities such as spooning “sea anemones” (the photo), counting seashells, and transferring fish erasers with tweezers. You can make many of the printables into hands-on activities by cutting them out and adding objects to go with the printables.

Montessori Print Shop has lovely ocean printables available inexpensively.

To the Lesson!has an ocean unit and shows how to make an “Ocean Animals” booklet. To the Lesson also has a saltwater vs. freshwater experiment.

The Princess and the Tot has lots of Rainbow Fish activity trays.

The Adventures of Bear has Montessori-inspired ocean activities in the areas of sensorial, math, science, and even French.

Playing House has many beach activities. The tot trays in particular have some wonderful Montessori-inspired activities for an ocean unit.

Desert Crafter has lots of activities with seashells.

Counting Coconuts has an island scavenger hunt which could be adapted for any beach.

I have a with lots of Montessori-inspired beach language activities (including links to free printables and ideas for a beach unit indoors or outdoors).

I have another post with lots of Montessori-inspired ocean math activities (including links to free printables and ideas for using them to create Montessori-inspired activities).

I have a shark unit study (roundup post with LOTS of activities).

You can find lots of free shark printables in my Free Shark Printables and Montessori-Inspired Shark Activities.

I have a shark water bead number or letter sensory bin.

Rachel from Discovery Kidzone Montessori Adventures has a post at PreK + K Sharing with a Montessori-inspired ocean unit: Under the Sea in the Style of Montessori.

Our Country Road has Summer Fun Montessori Trays, including a number of ocean trays.

Chestnut Grove Academy has lots of ocean posts with Montessori-inspired activities.

Discovery Days and Montessori Moments has a few Montessori-inspired ocean posts: Oceans of Fun, Ocean Research, and Fraction Action and Oceans of Fun.

Five Hazelnuts has a unit study of Oceans and Seas.

I have Shells and Starfish Activities + Free Printable from Montessori By Mom.

You’ll find one of my toddler granddaughter’s very favorite activity trays here: Montessori-Inspired Toddler Geography with Baby Beluga.

2021 Update: More Ocean Resources and Activities

Free Ocean Printables and Montessori-Inspired Ocean Activities

• Free Ocean Animal Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
• Free Octopus Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
• Non-Scary and Montessori-Friendly Resources for a Shark Tooth Dig
• Free Ocean Songs and Educational Videos
• Free Relaxing Ocean Images, Sounds, and Music for Kids and Adults {Mindfulness Resources}
• Free Guided Ocean Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
• Montessori-Inspired Ocean Unit
• Montessori at the Beach: Numbers and Counters
• Montessori-Inspired Beach Language Activities
• Montessori-Inspired Resources for World Oceans Day
• Montessori-Inspired Ocean Math Activities
• Montessori-Inspired Turtle Activities
• Shells and Starfish Activities + Free Printable from Montessori By Mom
• Free Shark Printables and Montessori-Inspired Shark Activities
• Shark Water-Bead Number or Letter Sensory Bin
• Farm, Zoo, & Ocean Animal Sensory Bottles for Babies and Toddlers
• Montessori-Inspired Toddler Geography Activities with Baby Beluga
• Coral Reef Kit and Sensory Bin
• Letters and Words in the Sand {Montessori-Inspired Beach Phonics Fun}
• Wonderful Whale and Water-Bead Sensory Bin {Free Printables}
• Seashell and Sea Life Nature Tray: How to Teach Vocabulary Using the 3-Period Lesson
• Free Turtle Printables and Montessori-Inspired Turtle Activities
• Free Turtle Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
• Free Turtle Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
• Seashell Color Matching {Easy-to-Prepare Variation of Montessori Color Box 3}
• DIY Coral Reef Water Table with Practical Life Activities
• The Ultimate Montessori-Inspired Shark Unit
• How to Make a Simple Ocean Animal Water Table or Sensory Bin Featuring Sharks
• Free Endangered Animal Printables and Montessori-Inspired Endangered Animal Activities
• Free Seashell Printables and Montessori-Inspired Seashell Activities
• Free Seashell Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
• Free Seashell Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
• Ocean Unit Study Pinterest Board

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Ocean Unit Study Pinterest Board

Ocean Unit Study Pinterest BoardE

I have an Ocean Unit Study Pinterest Board with ocean activities of all types and for all levels.

Summer is a great season to spend time at the beach and to encourage interest in ocean life. Have fun – and let your child lead the way in any study you do this summer! 🙂

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