Who doesn’t get excited for Shark Week? Have you ever celebrated shark week in your classroom? Picture this: It’s the end of the school year, you’ve covered all the curriculum, you’re #teachertired, but you’ve still got to keep the kiddos engaged and learning to the very end. I’VE GOT YOU COVERED!!! In the past I’d always end the last days of the school year with some fun themed learning days (like Lego day, bubble day, Popsicle day, etc….). But last year, inspired by some of the kiddos, I did an entire Shark Week in my classroom and it was EPIC!
Shark week activities are a perfect way to wrap up the school year, while still keeping the kids engaged and on task in fun lessons and activities that are all aligned to Common Core State Standards. This resources is low-prep, easy to implement, and includes so many activities, across many content areas that it’s a NO BRAINER for you, the teacher!
Shark Week Activities – Easy to Implement
I’ve worked so hard putting this resource together to make it so simple and easy to implement. Read on to see the shark week activities I do in my classroom (that area all included with this resource!)
Learn about Sharks
Start your shark week activities with a KWL chart to assess students’ prior knowledge and help set a purpose for learning. Next, read and discuss fun facts about sharks and do a cut-and-paste activity to label the parts of a shark. Now it’s time to dive deep and learn about different sharks! Read the non-fiction text which can be projected onto your interactive whiteboard, or printed and used in a small group. Then, students will do some informational writing to share things that they have learned about the shark. This shark week in the classroom unit includes informational reading and writing for 5 sharks: great white shark, hammerhead shark, saw shark, thresher shark, and blacktip reef shark.
Shark Week Word Work Activities
I prefer to break my class into small groups and do a lot of activities as centers. I’ve included word work and math activities that can be implemented as centers, but can also be done whole class (you’d just need to print more copies).
The low-prep shark week activities for word work include shark sight word fishing (pictured above). This is an editable PDF so you can quickly add the words that you would like your students to practice. For added fun simply cut, add a paper clip to each shark, and use a magnetic fishing pole to let them catch the sharks!
And do a write the room word hunt to find words with the SH digraph. This activity comes in 2 levels – cards with words, and cards without words so you can use what best meets the needs of your students.
Finally, for some tactile word-work fun do shark week seafoam spelling (writing words with shaving cream) directions and template included to easily do this as a center.
Shark Week Themed Math Activities
I’ve put together 4 math activities that include both grade 1 and grade 2 CCSS. These activities are a review of concepts they’ve learned throughout the year.
Addition shark week math activities include adding within 20, and addition with regrouping. The shark week math also includes measuring to the nearest inch and measuring with non-standard tools such as cubes or counters.
Add and extra element of interactive fun to the shark week math activities by letting the kids catch the sharks as pictured above. Simply add paperclips to each card. Then place a “fishing pole” at the center. Kids will then fish to catch their sharks before completing the task. Tons of fun, trust me!
So Much Shark Week Fun!
There are many more shark week activities included with this unit! All you have to do is print, do some easy prep, and you’re set! Take a look at the list below to see everything included and it is ALL Common Core State Standard Aligned! I really feel that this unit is a game-changer for the end-of-the-year tired teacher and restless kiddos!
This Shark Week Resource Includes:
- KWL Anchor Chart
- Label the Shark
- Fun Facts
- 5 non-fiction shark passages (shared read)
- 5 informational writing response pages
- Science: Sort/Classify activity
- 2 STEAM activities
- 3 Word Work activities
- 4 Math activities
- Shark Video Link and Response Page
- 2 Secret Codes and extension idea
- Directed Drawing
- No Bake Shark Snack
- Printable Decor & easy ideas
- Letter to Families for donation of supplies
- Book list of fiction paired read-alouds
Shark Week in the Classroom EXTRAS!
Sensory Bin:
So many of the center activities in this resource can be laminated and put into a sensory bin for an added element of fun and fine motor skills! I have a medium-sized sterlite container and water beads that I like to use for this!
Shark Week Bracelets:
I like to send these shark bracelets home in a sealed envelope with my students that says “Do Not Open Until _____” and then inside the envelope they will find this bracelet along with a note saying “Are you ready for Shark Week?” It’s a great way to build excitement and anticipation for a week full of fun shark activities in the classroom!
Shark Toys:
Thanks to my son I have quite the collection of shark toys and sea animal toys to choose from. These can be used for the sorting activity included in this resource, or even for a fun imaginative play center!
Shark Stories!
This Shark Week in the Classroom resource includes all non-fiction, informational based activities. However, who doesn’t love a fun fiction read-aloud. These are my favorite sharky reads to share with my kiddos during shark week in the classroom!
- I’m a Shark
- Gilbert the Great
- Misunderstood Shark
- The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark
- Clark the Shark
I really hope you consider doing shark week in your classroom! It’s tons of fun for the teacher and the kids! And it’s a really jaw-some way to end the year with a week filled with shark themed learning.
If you enjoyed my Shark Week be sure to check out my Spring Activities.
Happy Teaching!
xo Linda
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