What comes to mind when you see the word “summer”? For me, images of the beach, the taste of watermelon, the refreshing feeling of lemonade, the smell of sunscreen, and the [sometimes unbearable] warm feeling of the sun on my skin came to mind. When it comes to lesson planning for music classes or music therapy lessons this summer, I can think of a couple of themes:
Sun
Beach
Under the sea
Pirates
Fish
Roadtrip
Marine animals
Camping
Nature
Ocean
There are so many more summer themes we could include on this list but on this blog post, we are sharing with you a compilation of Ocean-themed songs, music activities, books, printables, Telehealth resources and ideas for preschool and kindergarten music time.
If you are looking for activities, finger plays, books, visuals, and other ideas for your music classes to go along a summer, beach, or ocean themed lesson plan, then this is the blog post for you.
Below you will find a compilation of songs and finger plays to add to your Ocean, Beach or Sea-themed preschool and kindergarten lesson plans!
Music
Jellyfish
by Stephanie Leavell
Peace and calm (a mindfulness song)
by Stephanie Leavell
Jellyfish Jellyfish
by Stephanie Leavell (adapted by Tuneful Teaching)
Motion In the ocean
by Rachel Rambach (of Listen and Learn Music)
over the deep blue see
The goldfish (let’s go swimming)
Swing me over the ocean
The Ocean song
(Ocean version of the elevator song)
The Fish in the sea
A big sea star
There’s a hole in the bottom of the sea
by Stephanie Leavell
Extension ideas:
Under the sea (adapted for castanets)
by Rachel Rambach (of Listen and Learn Music)
Books & book-based activities
The Pout-Pout Fish
Extension Ideas:
A hole in the bottom of the sea
Extension Ideas:
Ocean life
Extension Ideas:
We are water protectors
I’m the biggest thing in the ocean
Extension Ideas:
Tickly Octopus
My Ocean is blue
Here comes ocean
Telehealth resources & Printables
We have included some of our favorite Boom Card Decks by BoomLearning.com, which are an interactive educational tool you can use for your virtual classes or Telehealth sessions. All of these BoomCard decks are free. *We are not the authors of these digital resources or own any of these images, we have included the authors and their respective Boom Cards store.
We have also compiled several printables that include flash cards, movement cards and brain breaks.
We hope you can find one to extend or compliment your music lesson plan!
Flash Cards & printable Brain Breaks
Click on each of the images to be redirected to the specific Boom Card.
*We are not the authors/owners of the digital resources listed below; attribution and links to their respective authors has been provided. We are not affiliated with Boom Learning or receive compensation to share these resources. Digital resources are shared to help teachers and therapists in their lesson or session planning. The resources listed here are free, but please support the Boom Learning stores listed here by following, rating, sharing or purchasing their resources!
Marine Animals (Interactive book)
Source: BoomCard Deck “Marine Animals (interactive book)” by Jessica Apicella SLP on boomlearning.com
I Spy Ocean functions
Ocean Sight Word Search
Sing-Along: Ocean/sea theme
ocean themed board game reward
I hope you can find some ideas or resources to your Ocean or Sea-themed lesson plans! If you’re looking for done-for-you monthly lesson plans and music resources, join the waitlist for the Music For Kiddos Resource Community: our online community and library for early childhood music therapists and music educators. Join the waitlist here.
More info about the MFK Resource Community down below ↓
Done-for you lesson plans & other music resources
Do you want a one-stop-shop for done-for-you lesson plans Do you want to save time and stop working past our contract hours?
We have a tool that saves hundreds of therapists and educators like you countless hours: The Music For Kiddos Resource Community.
The Music for Kiddos Resource Community is an online community and resource library for early childhood music therapists and music educators.
You’ll get access to a growing library of 380+ resources like songs, singable books, and lesson plans.
We have monthly Zoom calls so we can share lesson & session ideas and hear directly from industry experts.
You’ll have access to a private Facebook group for networking, support, and resource sharing among members.
In addition, you’ll receive deep discounts for digital items in our online shop (50%+ OFF all of our online courses, CMTEs, professional development opportunities, and online conferences).
As a part of our Community, music therapists get 15 pre-approved CMTE credits a year, and educators receive a certificate for 15 professional development hours.
The Music For Kiddos Community is currently sold out but we will be welcoming new members in July, 2022. Get on the waitlist & we’ll email you before it opens (and you’ll have first dibs—before it sells out!)
