Animals Sea World

Overview

A 45-minute art lesson for Preschool students focused on exploring animals in the sea world through creative visual arts activities. This lesson aligns with the Northern Territory Curriculum requirements for early childhood learners by emphasizing sensory exploration, connection to Country/Place, and engaging curiosity about living things, especially animals.

Curriculum Alignment (Northern Territory Curriculum)

• Learning Area: The Arts – Visual Arts (Early Years)
• Focus: Explore and use materials, techniques, and processes to express ideas, observations, and experiences (AC9AVA foundation concepts).
• Science Foundation: Observing external features of animals and understanding basic needs (AC9SFU01 Foundation Year).
• First Nations perspectives: Encouraging awareness of Indigenous connections to Country/Place, observing nature respectfully (integrated into introduction and discussion).

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

• Identify and name common sea animals (e.g., fish, turtle, dolphin, octopus).
• Use art materials (paints, crayons, paper, natural materials) to create representations of sea animals.
• Experiment with colours, shapes, and textures to represent the underwater sea world.
• Develop fine motor skills through drawing, painting, and simple collage.
• Express ideas about sea animals’ features and environment verbally.
• Show respect and curiosity for nature, linking to First Nations cultural understandings of living things.

Resources & Materials

• Large paper sheets or individual A3 papers
• Washable paint (blue, green, various bright colours)
• Paintbrushes, sponges, and stamps
• Crayons and coloured pencils
• Pre-cut shapes of sea animals (fish, starfish, turtle, dolphin, octopus)
• Glue sticks and natural textured materials (e.g., shells, sand paper pieces, fabric scraps)
• Picture book or visual cards showing sea animals
• A small fish tank or clear bowl with water and toy sea animals (optional sensory table)

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Lesson Plan

1. Introduction & Engagement (8 minutes)

• Gather students together and show them pictures or a picture book of sea animals.
• Use simple, clear language to name each animal and briefly describe one interesting fact: e.g., “This is a turtle. It swims slowly and has a hard shell.”
• Briefly explain the sea world environment (water, plants, rocks) and that today we will make pictures of animals that live there.
• Connect to local Northern Territory context by briefly acknowledging how First Nations Peoples respect animals and water creatures in Country/Place.

Curriculum link: Supports oral language, observation of living things, and respectful First Nations perspectives (AC9SFU01, AC9AVA foundation concepts) .

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2. Sensory Exploration Activity – Sea Colours & Textures (7 minutes)

• Children experiment with blue and green paint to make a watery sea background on their papers using brushes and sponges.
• Invite them to explore texture by dabbing with bubble wrap or sponges to create patterns that look like water or seaweed.
• Discuss colours and shapes observed in water and plants in the sea.

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3. Sea Animal Creation - Painting & Collage (20 minutes)

• Provide pre-cut shapes of sea animals and natural textured materials such as shells or sand paper.
• Encourage students to paint and decorate their sea animals then glue them onto their sea backgrounds.
• Support individual creativity: drawing additional sea plants, bubbles, or sand on their pictures.
• Teachers assist with glue and encourage descriptive language: “Can you tell me about your fish? What colour is it? Does it have scales?”

Skills developed: Fine motor manipulation, colour recognition, shape recognition, expressing ideas.

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4. Sharing & Reflection (7 minutes)

• Invite children to share their artworks with the class.
• Prompt with simple questions: “What is your favourite sea animal? How does it live under the water?”
• Emphasize the importance of caring and respect for animals and water, linking again to First Nations knowledge of looking after Country.

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5. Clean-up & Transition (3 minutes)

• Guide students in tidying their spaces and washing paintbrushes.
• Prepare for next activity or departure calmly.

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Assessment and Outcomes

• Observation of student engagement and participation during activities.
• Check ability to identify sea animals verbally during introduction and sharing.
• Monitor fine motor skills and use of materials during painting and collage.
• Informal assessment through questions during sharing time to gauge understanding.
• Documentation can include photographs or samples of student artwork for portfolio.

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Notes for Teachers

• Keep instructions simple and visual, using demonstration and modelling.
• Use First Nations cultural perspectives gently and respectfully, perhaps inviting local community input for authentic connection.
• Allow flexible timing depending on children’s engagement; be ready to extend exploration or end early with a calm group activity.
• Encourage sensory experiences safely, using non-toxic materials.

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This lesson plan is designed to nurture creativity, observation, and respectful understanding of animals and environment appropriate to Preschool students within the Northern Territory Curriculum framework. It includes scaffolded learning stages and integrates early science and cultural awareness appropriately for young learners.

If you require adaptations or further resources, feel free to ask!