Ocean Colours Quest

Overview

This 30-minute sensory-rich lesson introduces preschool students to the vibrant colours of the ocean and how these colours can evoke feelings and moods. The students will explore ocean animal colours through active sensory experiences and art, culminating in sharing their colourful creations.

Learning Context

• Year Level: Preschool (3-5 years)
• Class Size: 10 students
• Setting: Inclusive classroom with sensory supports, including a calm corner.
• Special Needs Considerations: Designed to engage sensory learners, including autistic students, with tactile and visual materials and alternative communication supports.

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Learning Objectives (Aligned to New Zealand Curriculum Refresh)

Science Strand: Planet Earth and Beyond (Level 1)

• Explore and describe natural features and materials (e.g., colours and textures of animals and environment).
• Develop curiosity and enjoyment in exploring the natural world around them.

Key Competencies:

• Managing Self: Students engage safely with materials and regulate sensory input.
• Relating to Others: Encouraged to share and communicate their experiences and artworks.
• Using Language, Symbols and Texts: Use words related to colours and animals to express their preferences.

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WALT (We Are Learning To):

• Explore different colours found in the ocean.
• Use colours to represent favourite ocean animals.
• Share our creations and describe how colours make us feel.

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Success Criteria

• I can name at least three ocean colours.
• I can choose colours to create my ocean animal.
• I can share my artwork and say why I like those colours.

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Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Description	Differentiation & Supports
0-5 min	Introduction – Ocean Colours Sensory Story	Teacher shares a short sensory story about ocean colours using colourful visual aids, ocean sounds, and soft fabrics in blue, green, and other ocean hues. Calming lighting encouraged. Vocabulary focus: blue, green, red, orange, purple, shiny, smooth, soft.	Use visual schedules and picture cards of ocean animals/colours. Use simple language with repetition. Provide objects to hold for tactile engagement.
5-15 min	Creative Activity – Colour Your Ocean Animal	Students choose from colourful materials (felt, textured paper, feathers, glitter glue) to create their favourite ocean animal on paper. Materials are arranged to support independent choice.	Provide adapted tools such as easy-grip scissors, large brushes, and pre-cut shapes. Allow fidget items or sensory breaks. Offer choice between materials.
15-20 min	Sensory Exploration – Colour & Mood	Discuss how ocean colours make us feel. Use face cards showing emotions (happy, calm, excited) paired with colour swatches. Children match colours to emotions and say how they feel about their animal colours.	Use visual and verbal prompts; allow non-verbal students to point or gesture. Use simple sentence stems (e.g., "Blue makes me feel...").
20-28 min	Sharing Circle	Children take turns showing their ocean animal and sharing their favourite colours and feelings. Teacher models sentence stems and uses a talking object to support turn-taking.	Use small groups or pairs if the whole class sharing is overwhelming. Offer support with sentence starters for expressive language. Allow alternative communication methods (pictures, gestures).
28-30 min	Closure & Reflection	Recap the ocean colours and moods. Sing a simple ocean-themed song including colour words to reinforce vocabulary. Provide a quiet sensory transition activity (e.g., water play or soft fabric exploration).	Encourage self-regulation and sensory input to transition to next activity. Provide fidget toys or calming bottles to aid focus.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Visual supports (picture cards, colour swatches, sentence stems)
• Sensory-rich materials to appeal to tactile and visual learners
• Flexible modes of expression: verbal, gestural, or using assistive communication devices
• Calm corner and sensory breaks to manage overload
• Small group or individual support for those needing extra help

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Extension Activities for Advanced Learners

• Experiment mixing paints to create new ocean colours (teal, turquoise, seafoam green)
• Create patterns using multiple colours on their creatures
• Introduce simple descriptive vocabulary about colour and mood (e.g., "bright", "dark", "cheerful", "calm")
• Use digital tools/apps to colour and animate ocean animals

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Dyslexia-friendly Reading Options

• Use large, clear fonts on all visual aids
• Limit text; rely on clear images and symbols
• Pair oral narration with written keywords highlighted in colour
• Use consistent, simple vocabulary repeated across activities

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Resources Required

• Ocean animal pictures and puppets
• Colourful art supplies: felt, paper, feathers, glitter glue, crayons
• Visual aid cards showing colours, emotions, and sentence stems
• Sensory materials: fabrics in ocean colours, soft toys, water play tray for transition
• Calm corner setup with fidget toys and noise-cancelling headphones available

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Curriculum References

• New Zealand Curriculum Refresh, Science Strand (Planet Earth and Beyond, Level 1)
• Key Competencies: Managing Self, Relating to Others, Using Language, Symbols and Texts
• Emphasis on exploration, curiosity, sensory engagement, and expressing feelings through colour and art (supports diverse learners including autistic and sensory learners) .

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This lesson plan aims to create an inclusive, sensory-rich environment that supports diverse learners in deepening their understanding and enjoyment of the ocean habitat through the beautiful medium of colour.