Here you’ll find a variety of lesson plans, with one for each age group. Feel free to mix and match the activities that work best for your students. There’s also an alternative lesson plan at the end for even more flexibility.
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Pre-K Lesson Plan (Ages 3-4)
Learning Objectives
Recognize that everyone has a unique role in a group
Practice identifying ocean animals in the story
Develop listening skills through interactive storytelling
Materials
Procedure (30 minutes)
(5 mins) Begin with a circle time discussion about friendships and inclusion. Ask: How do you feel when your friends play with you? Why is it important to include everyone? What are some kind words we can use to invite others to play?
(10 mins) Watch the read along video of the book. Encourage children to point at their favorite sea creature when they appear on screen.
(15 mins) Provide students with blue construction paper and crayons. Ask them to draw their favorite ocean character from the book and tell a partner why that character makes the group better.
Kindergarten Lesson Plan - Age 5
Learning Objectives
Identify the theme of inclusion through the story
Sequence the events of the search for Ollie
Demonstrate cooperative communication during a group activity
Materials
Book and/or Read Along Video (includes author Q&A)
Procedure (40 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Watch the read along video as a class, pausing to predict where Ollie might be hiding.
(10 mins) Facilitate a classroom discussion about the importance of teamwork. Ask: Why did the characters look for Ollie together? How does teamwork help us solve big problems? What could happen if the friends gave up on finding Ollie? How does a group change when someone goes missing?
(20 mins) Create a classroom 'search map' on the whiteboard using index cards and markers, labeling where the characters traveled. Describe how each character's special ability helped in the search.
(20 mins) Watch the author's Q&A interview video. Lead a discussion prompting students to come up with new questions they would like to ask the author. Example questions to start: 'What inspired you to write this?', 'How did you choose the characters?'
1st Grade Lesson Plan - Age 6
Learning Objectives
Explain the metaphor of the 'beautiful song' as described in the book
Write a short journal entry about an act of kindness
Analyze character motives during the search for Ollie
Materials
Book and/or Read Along Video (includes author Q&A)
Procedure (40 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Watch the read along video together. Focus on the facial expressions of the characters and how their emotions change throughout the story.
(10 mins) Engage in a Socratic discussion about the theme. Ask: What does it mean that we are a 'beautiful song'? If each student is a note in our class song, what makes your note special? How can we make sure our class song stays in tune? Why is it better to sing together than alone?
(20 mins) Have students write a brief journal entry describing a time they included someone who felt left out, or a time they were happy to be included by others.
(20 mins) Watch the author's Q&A interview video. Lead a discussion prompting students to come up with new questions they would like to ask the author. Example questions to start: 'What inspired you to write this?', 'How did you choose the characters?'
2nd Grade Lesson Plan - Age 7
Learning Objectives
Contrast the roles of different marine animals in the story with their real-life counterparts
Develop empathy for characters experiencing exclusion
Draft a classroom pledge for inclusivity
Materials
Book and/or Read Along Video (includes author Q&A)
Procedure (50 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Watch the read along video and identify three marine species featured in the illustrations.
(15 mins) Host a reflection discussion on the story. Ask: How does the author use the underwater setting to mirror our own human social interactions? Why is a whale shark's birthday significant in the context of the friendship theme? What are the consequences of letting one person be left out of a celebration? How does the group dynamic transform once everyone is reunited?
(25 mins) Create an 'Inclusion Pledge' on a poster board. Students collaborate to list behaviors that ensure everyone feels like an important 'note' in the class 'song'.
(20 mins) Watch the author's Q&A interview video. Lead a discussion prompting students to come up with new questions they would like to ask the author. Example questions to start: 'What inspired you to write this?', 'How did you choose the characters?'
Alternative Lesson Plan - Ages 3 - 7
Learning Objectives
Foster community and belonging within a mixed-age group
Encourage verbal expression and creative thinking
Celebrate the individual talents of each student
Materials
Book and/or Read Along Video (includes author Q&A)
Procedure (35 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Facilitate an icebreaker discussion about community. Ask: If we were all sea creatures in a big ocean, what kind of creature would you be and why? What does it feel like when everyone participates in a game? How do you know when you belong to a group? What is the best way to invite someone new to join our circle?
(10 mins) Watch the read along video and pause to dance during the birthday celebration scene.
(15 mins) Distribute paper star cutouts. Have each student write or draw one thing they are good at that makes them a unique 'note' in the class group. Tape them to the wall to create a 'Friendship Constellation'.
(20 mins) Watch the author's Q&A interview video. Lead a discussion prompting students to come up with new questions they would like to ask the author. Example questions to start: 'What inspired you to write this?', 'How did you choose the characters?'