Freddie and His Ocean Friends

Designed for grades K-5 and to be done at home or with small groups, this interactive multi-activity mini-course introduces children to the spectacular diversity of ocean life and the concept of a food web. The mini-course includes a richly illustrated story-based lesson as well as games, activities, and projects that appeal to all types of learners.

After an introductory story about Freddie the Flounder and other ocean creatures, children can have fun building their own food chains in the included card game. Concepts are reinforced through a separate movement-based game in which children create their own food webs. Children will also learn about metamorphosis and life cycles through an art project in which they invent their own imaginary marine animals. Finally, children will perform an experiment in which they design their own plankton-the foundation of the ocean food web.

Most materials needed to complete the mini-course can be cut from the book itself (or, if preferred, downloaded and printed using an included link). The mini-course requires only a few additional common household items to complete the activities: water, scissors, tape, blank paper, paper clips, string or yarn, coloring materials (crayons, paint, or markers), empty shoe box, eight stuffed animals (or friends), various small household items (floating bath toys, paper clips, corks, erasers, clay, toothpicks, etc.), small bowl or container, and a larger bucket ( 5 gallon) or tank.

Upon completing the mini-course, children will be provided with links to additional online resources and will earn new concept badges for their Science Tool Kit (included in the mini-course)-including predator, phytoplankton, food chain, and metamorphosis.