Ocean Animal Vocabulary Cards
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The ocean is truly a place of wonder. Kids are often excited to learn about animals that live in our oceans as many of the creatures are simply fascinating! While kids often know the names of ocean animals such as whales, dolphins, turtles, etc., they may not know the names of many others. Build up your students’ vocabulary and pique their interest with these 20 engaging and free Ocean Animal Vocabulary Cards!
*Pair with our Ocean Animal Habitat Centers for Pre-K & Kindergarten!
Ocean Animal Vocabulary Cards
To prepare the vocabulary cards, I simply print and laminate them. After cutting them apart, I like to use them in my pocket chart in the classroom so I want them to stay sturdy for a long while.
I use these cards to promote interest and discussion with my students about ocean animals. We first sort the ones we can identify or not (if you have readers, I recommend making a second set and cutting off the words so it is just the picture). Then, we learn the names of the animals we don’t know and practice pronouncing them – some of them are tricky!
We keep the cards up and around throughout our unit to further build vocabulary and knowledge, and we often use these cards as a starting point to lead us in further research to learn about these animals!
RELATED RESOURCE: Write It! Ocean Animals Writing Center Activities
Ways to Use the Vocabulary Cards
Here are some of my favorite ways to use these ocean animal vocabulary cards in the classroom:
- Writing Center – Students can copy the animals’ names or use them to create a story.
- Research Starters – Kids can pick an animal card to take home and look for some information about the animal with their parents.
- Group Projects – Give students a card to share with a small group of 3-4. They can use books or the computer (with adults) to look for interesting facts about the animal.
- Generate Questions – Have kids inquire about the animals. What are they wondering? Record their questions.
With these vocabulary cards, the possibilities are endless! No matter how you use them, they are great to have on hand if you are studying ocean animals.
Grab Your FREE Set
Ready to start learning ocean animal names with your students? Get your free set of Ocean Animal Vocabulary Cards by clicking the large, yellow download button below!
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More Ocean-Themed Learning Activities
Looking for more engaging activities, all with a marine biology theme? Check out these super fun ideas from some fantastic kid bloggers!
Ocean Currents Science Experiment from Life Over C’s
Marine Mammals or Fish? from Still Playing School
Ocean Animals Food Chain Printables from Living Life and Learning
How Do Fish Breathe? from Parenting Chaos
Why Can’t Freshwater Fish Live in the Ocean? from Schooling a Monkey
{FREE} Ocean Animals & Plants Cards from Preschool Powol Packets
Ocean Animal Addition Cards from The Kindergarten Connection
Ocean Animal Vocabulary Cards from The Kindergarten Connection
Super Simple Edible Coral Reef from Lemon Lime Adventures
Coral Reefs Game from Line Upon Line Learning
Number Bonds with Shells from Kidz Activities
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