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Each UNIT STUDY includes suggestions of books to READ, ideas to WRITE, crafts to CREATE, more to EXPLORE, snacks to ENJOY and other ways to LEARN about a specific topic! To read more about the concepts behind my UNIT STUDIES, read this.
If you find it handy to have a simplified printable of these suggestions, you can find one, along with several free printables, here in the FREE Sharks Unit Study Printable Pack.
Otherwise, read on for a more detailed version with links embedded!
{Note: The links are pink! Just think, “pink link” if you are wanting to follow a link to something.}
Unit Study: SHARKS
I can’t say that SHARKS are my favorite sea creature by a long shot! But, I do find them to be amazing in several ways. I even went snorkeling with nurse sharks while in Belize! But, between that and observing them from a variety of aquariums, I think I’m good with just reading books about them and also watching Shark Week each summer. How about you?
Whether your style is “I’d like to meet a Great White face-to-face” or more like mine, this SHARKS UNIT STUDY has something to offer you and your kids!
READ
Chomp – A Shark Romp by Michael Paul is an easy and excellent way to begin a SHARKS UNIT STUDY. It’s filled with loads of different shark types, basic facts and bold illustrations. And, because it is formatted in a comparative fashion, it lends itself to lots of activities. {See below for a writing activity based on this book.}
Another great SHARK book with lots of non-fiction info written in an amusing way is Cat-in-the-Hat’s Hark! A Shark! by Bonnie Worth. And to increase the understanding of the book, there are some mini Book Companion Pack pages found in the FREE Sharks Unit Study Printable Pack. {These pages can really be used with any non-fiction shark book!}
For a more classic non-fiction approach, National Geographic Kids Sharks by Anne Schreiber is a great choice for all ages. It’s fairly simple to read and includes real photographs, highlighted vocabulary words and even a few funny jokes. It’s also commonly available at public libraries but also very inexpensive on Amazon. There are some mini Book Companion Pack pages found in the FREE Sharks Unit Study Printable Pack. {These pages can really be used with any non-fiction shark book!}
If the above non-fiction book does not offer enough for your kids, check out Pocket Genius Sharks by DK. It’s a small book but it’s packed with over 150 pages of shark facts and photographs! And, it’s also very inexpensive on Amazon. If you only want to buy one SHARK book, this is definitely the most bang for your buck! And you’ll find a one-page Scavenger Hunt to go with it in the FREE Sharks Unit Study Printable Pack.
Oceans Alive Sharks by Colleen Sexton is a nice easy reader about SHARKS. With only 20 pages of text and a short glossary in the back, it’s perfect for readers just starting to read independently.
Surprising Sharks by Nicola Davies might just be one of my favorites! It’s all about SHARKS that might surprise you with their unique features or small sizes. It has sweet illustrations and offers a nonfiction look at several sharks in a manner that is appropriate for a younger crowd.
A SHARK book from the fiction section that I would recommend is Gilbert the Great by Jane Clarke. It’s a sweet tale about a “little” shark who is sad because his best friend moves away. And it’s very clever because it weaves in a few shark facts {remoras & eating junk} in a natural way. It looks like it’s out of print but it was very popular way back when I was a classroom teacher so I know there are copies out there! My library had it and you can certainly find it used in lots of places online.
The final SHARK book that I want to suggest comes with just a wee bit of hesitation. Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale is a funny book about Clark, who is a big, loud, clumsy “kid” in school. He’s enthusiastic and excitable because he finds life really fun! But, because he has a hard time toning it down, his friends stop playing with him. And then he teaches himself to “keep cool” when needed and all is well. I actually like the book and wish I had come across it when my own large, clunky kid was younger but I can also see how some moms would not agree with the message of learning how to “cool it” so your friends don’t run from you.
WRITE
As mentioned above, Chomp – A Shark Romp by Michael Paul offers a great opportunity for a fun and simple writing activity. Included in the FREE Sharks Unit Study Printable Pack, you’ll find different activities based on the book. But, the book is NOT necessary by any means.
Below is a sample of primary-lined paper where the student simply writes a few words to complete the sentence.
And here is a sample where the student writes everything themselves.
There are lots of ways to use this activity for several different ages.
There is also a book that requires minimal writing and either illustrations or cutting and pasting pictures.
LEARN
If you want an easy-to-use printable pack that is filled with informational text passages, writing prompts, a flipbook and much more about several types of SHARKS and their amazing characteristics, check out the SUPER SHARKS FACT PACK. It offers more than 60 pages of SUPER SHARK fun for multiple ages and with code 25OffShark you can save 25% off the listed price.
CREATE
I’m all about easy when it comes to crafts…easy-to-find materials, easy-to-follow instructions and easy-to-clean up messes. Luckily, there seem to be a gazillion SHARK crafts that fit my easy-to-create requirements! You can make SHARKS out of toilet paper rolls, paper plates, newspaper, cupcake liners and even plastic cups. There are lots of cute options but I think my two favorites are these fingerprint sharks and also these LEGO sharks! These rock sharks definitely require more work than most of the others, but I think the end result is definitely worth it and would be something to keep forever!
ENJOY
I do not do tricky, complicated snacks but a lot of the SHARK snacks I came across included fondant and SHARK-shaped molds. However, I did manage to find a few easy-to-make and fun-to-eat SHARK snacks! Start the day with these cute waffles {to make it less sweet, sub the cool whip with cream cheese.} These quesadillas are perfect for lunch or dinner with these adorable fruits and veggies as a snack at any point during the day. And then end with these ice cream sundaes!
EXPLORE
If your kids love science experiments, there are a couple of ways to explore how sharks float. This version is super duper simple and great for little ones and this version requires a few more supplies but is also fairly simple and great for all ages! Doing a shark’s life cycle activity could be fun for all ages. And here is a fun physical game that shows how the ocean food chain works…of course, with SHARKS at the top! Sharks 101 is a great five-minute video from National Geographic that offers a quick and simple introduction to SHARKS. And, of course, if you want loads more opportunities to watch SHARK videos, I would suggest you check out Shark Week. Shark Week is usually aired by Discovery in July or August but you can always find old videos online as well. And, finally, keep this How to Teach About SHARKS Pinterest Board handy because it is loaded with nearly everything found in this post plus loads more to explore.
Unit Study: SHARKS
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