Our Sea - Estonia is a sea state!

Theme: Estonia - Sea state I part.

Children age: 5-6 years

Objectives: The child orients on the map of Estonia. The child knows on which sea Estonia lies. The child knows were are Muhu, Saaremaa and Hiiumaa islands. The child can order the islands by size. The child can mark given places on their maps. The child get to know concept of geography. The child can make cooprational work with others and use and share tools. 

Tools: On the wall large map of Estonia and map of counties. On each table are two maps were are marked citys. Each child has empty map of Estonia. Ordinary pencil and colored pencil. Three ropes about 4-5 meters each and letter cards.

Preparations: The children have had the opportunity to get acquainted with map of Estonia and maps on counties. They have also shown others where they have been. The child knows which sea Estonia borders. With children was discussed about border guards work and explored border of Estonia. Today morning the children found out that today they will work in a firm that makes maps of Estonia for children.

Activity: The teacher lets the children know that staff meeting will be in 5 minutes.

They all clean the room and they go to the "office". In the beginning of staff meeting one "worker" says todays date and day. In the meeting they learn that today they are going to make maps of Estonia for schools geography lessons. "Workers" can express their opinion why these maps are important for the school students and what they learn in geography lessons. Together they look  map of Estonia and each child can show where he/she has been and where they want to go. Then their attention is directed on Estonian three islands that lie in Baltic sea (Muhu, Hiiumaa, Saaremaa).

The children compare the islands and line up in order of size. Activity continues in three groups. Were they choose the group leader. The leaders responsibility is to support and counsel group members and help if somebody needs it. 

First task is for "workers" to paint on maps the three islands (Muhu, Hiiumaa, Saaremaa). Second task is to mark the places the children have visited. Third task is to choose one island which they will make with the help of rope. On each "office table" there is a rope, map of counties and letter cards. It is important to follow chosen island size and shape. When the group has finished their island, the group leader will introduce the others why they chose it. 

During the week the children continue to color the map of Estonia. They write the names of cities where

they have been.

Our Sea

Theme: The sea joys and sorrows

Children age: 4-5 years

Objectives: The child understands and feels the world around him/her holistically. The child gets an idea of ​​his/hers self and the roles of him/herself and others in the living environment. The child learns to value his or her own health and the health of others and tries to behave healthily and safely. The child begins to value an environmentally friendly and environmental protection way of thinking and understands the concept of cause / consequence. Establish contact with nature and the sea, through children's own experiences.

Tools: Computer. Teachers made learning video, where she used materials from group visits to the beach and materials from internet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74etMeJ0-x4 ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQTUWK7CM-Y; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyLKAWHDRU4&list=RDCMUC2GFOmIn5HUfEqHYFab7XMQ&index=4 ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ8ERf7LIkI 

Preparations: Teacher makes the video. Group room ready for viewing. The teacher prepares text and questions according to the learning video.

Activity:

Activity starts with morning circle and song "Who is with us today".

Then they have a discussion about the children experiences with the sea. 

Then the children sit on chairs and they watch the learning video made by the teacher.

According to the theme and picture in video the teacher pauses and they talk and explain what they see. 

After the video they discuss themes:

• How we are connected with the sea?
• What I can do to help the sea and nature?
• What causes the bad health of the sea and sea animals?

Video:

Our sea - painting!

Theme: Our big sea

Children age: 3-4 years

Objectives: The child knows that the sea is a big and wide water body. The child knows that the sea can be calm, with little waves and stormy. The child knows that the sea is salty and not good for drinking. The child can listen and recognizes the sound of sea. The child paints the sea using different techniques and tools. The child knows that you can find sea shells from the bottom of the sea.

Tools: opportunity to watch videos and pictures (computer, sea pictures on the wall, books, magazines). On table see through bowls (2 bowls for each child and spoon), little spoons, sea salt with big and small crystals, tab water. White paper, different shades colors blue, green and white gouache ready on the palette, spatulas, rulers, paint rollers, wide brushes and aprons. Different sea shells to watch, explore and touch.

Preparations: Teacher and teacher help puts pictures and videos ready. Chairs to sit and watch videos. Puts experiment materials ready on table. Puts painting materials ready on tables. Puts sea shells ready.

Activity: The children look different videos and pictures of sea, sea waves, world seas. They see that the sea is powerful, big and wide. They see that the sea can be calm, smooth, with little waves or dark and big waves. They learn that the sea can be different colors. The teacher tells that the sea color depends on different things: hoe deep it is, what grows on the bottom, what plants, animals and fishes live there and also from the color of the sky. The children listen different sounds of the sea (silent and loud) depending of the weather. The children ask questions and try to answer them.

The children sit behind the tables and the teacher introduces them sea salt - with big salt crystals and fine salt powder. The children can look, touch and taste the salt. Then they make experiments. Experiment 1. The children put in one bowl sea salt with big salt crystals and in the other fine salt powder. The children observe how it goes on the bottom of the bowl. They shake it with spoons. They see that salt goes on bottom but does not melt away, that it takes time. They see that big crystal salt grains are like crystals that are in mothers jewelry. They see and taste the water in bowls and know that is it like sea water. They know that they can't drink it. The children put the bowls on the windowsill, so they could observe them through the day salt melting.

Then the children put on their aprons for art. They sit behind the tables. The teacher introduces different tools to use in art: spatulas, ruler, paint roller, wide brush and shows that how it can be used. The children use all the tools through out the activity to express their creativity. All the seas come out different.

After the art activity children can explore sea shells - big, small, different shapes, smooth, rough.

Our Sea - Sea around us!

Theme: Sea around us

Children age: 4-6 years

Objectives: Exploring different pictures of sea and discussion. Learning new concepts and words relating to sea. Making concept map. Visiting virtual nature museum - gets to know virtual world. The child gets to know animals and fishes living in Baltic sea. Gets to know "Meie pere kala aabits" (Our family fish spelling book). Spelling and reading words and text about sea and fish. Letter I from spelling book.  Making crossword. Listening the sounds of the sea from internet. The child uses learned techniques. The child expresses her/himself creatively. Child experience success from made work.

Tools: Pictures from sea, books. Virtual museum visting: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=wJ6c8bF2prS . Our family fish spell books. Tools for art: pencil, ink, oil pastel, sponge, oil.

Preparation: The teacher searches the sounds of sea from the internet. Looks up information about Baltic sea and seas in general. Puts ready A2 size paper for concept map. Puts computer ready for virtual visit. In center of table are Fish spell books and art tools are on separate table.

Activity: In the beginning the teacher plays sea sounds and everybody listens. 

Then follows looking sea pictures and photos. They share their own memories about going to the sea side in Estonia and also during holiday trips to other countries. Comparing and discussion between children and teacher. 

Getting to know new words and concepts. Sea is the sea is iridescent, rabbits on sea and so on. They make concept map from the words.

Then they make virtual visit to the nature museum. How to visit virtual museum? Getting to know virtual world. Getting to know different fishes and animals living in Baltic sea through virtual world.

Then the teacher introduces the Our Family Fish spell book. There you can find different tasks and exercises related to fish theme. The teacher reads out introductory reading story. The youngest spell short poem and older short story. In the end they make a crossword about fish names.

   

And in the end comes art activity. The children draw different fish using their imagination and using learned techniques. 

At first they draw fish outlines with pencil and colors them with oil pastels using their creativity. Then they make the bottom of the sea and plants with brush and ink. They use the sponge to make it. They clean their workplace.

   

Teacher puts together an art exhibition from the works.

Our sea - Estonia is a sea state!

Theme: Estonia - Sea state part II.

Children age: 5-6 years

Objectives: The child gets acquainted with the biggest mammal of Baltic sea. The child is creative and knows how to make cooperation in groupwork. The child send knowingly their sad thoughts to the sea. The child gets to know new concept - expedition. The child can measure with measuring tape. The child explores with family members more about gray seal and crafts it (draws, models, sews, folds) at home.

Tools: three about 5 meter ropes. Three measuring tapes. Three A4 size thicker paper, on one written Saaremaa, one Hiiumaa and one Muhu. Warm and comfortable clothing and shoes.

Preparation: Previous days the children have investigates the map of Estonia and compared the three islands (Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Muhu - size, position, shape).

Activity: The teacher lets the children know that staff meeting will be in 5 minutes.

They all clean the room and they go to the "office". In the beginning of staff meeting one "worker" says todays date and day. In the meeting they learn that today they are going on expedition - "The Baltic sea biggist mammal". Who could it be? How big can grow a gray seal? Has anybody seen a gray seal? What it looks like? We look pictures of gray seal.

What does mean expedition? Discussion about it.

Before they start to go on expedition the members prepare themselves with yoga. It balances mind and gives strength and power for the expedition.

They go to the seaside with a brisk walk and following traffic rules. Finally on the beach.

Who wants can make a sad thoughts sending away ritual on the beach. Sending sad thoughts with good words to the sea and getting back good feeling and happy thoughts.

Then the group leaders (chosen in the morning) gather their group. On the will of the lottery each group gets one island what they will make with the help of a rope. This time it is important to look where they are located. 

Then the groups made gray seal from the ropes on the sand. And measured it with measuring tape.

The first crafted gray seals the children made at home with families:

Our Sea - frozen water bodies

Theme: Frozen water bodies, coastal area (outdoor learning)

Children age: 6-7 years

Objectives: The child knows that river flows into the sea. The child knows that water bodies freeze in winter. The child knows the dangers of thin ice on water bodies. The child enjoys and knows how to make outdoor art from snow and with snow.

Tools: Warm and comfortable clothes. Branch, measuring tape-ruler.

Preparation: We have examined pictures of frozen rivers and sea. Investigated how the river and sea freezes, what are the similarities and differences. We have explained the dangers, what might happen if you go on thin ice. In outdoor activity the children experience and feel everything themselves.

Activity:

Oh what a joy when snow comes. The children want to play with the snow and go crazy in the snow.

We went to investigate - are the river and sea frozen? Can we go on the ice?

When we went closer it turned out that the river ice was not strong or thick enough to go on it. You can sink through it and you can drown. Water is very cold and from that cold seizures occur in humans.

The children investigated and saw that river flows into the sea and they become one. River is long and sinuous fast flow water body, sea is more bigger water body and the waves are big and foamier. In winter the sea can also partly freeze, especially in coastal area. In our observation day the sea was not froze.

We notices the rescue car afar. It was exciting to observe. The rescue workers went on ice to measure the river ice thickness. The river was frozen but not enough. 

Our observation concluded that the river ice was not thick enough to walk on.

We practiced throwing of snowballs onto ice. Whose ball flew the farthest and whose ball sank or floated? Some of the snowballs remained on surface and some sank where the ice was too watery.

We drew with our feet ragged trees. For children was it a challenge to think out how to make this kind of art so, that the result is also beautiful.

We made snow art onto the trees. The children made image of ducks, swans, fishes and one winter white rabbit.

We made an experiment: How deep is the snow in forest? You stick the branch so deep that you feel 
the earth. You mark the upper snow limit on the branch. Then you measure the part of branch what 
was in the snow. The result of our experiment was that the snow was 15,6 cm deep in the costal forest.

And in the end we made snow butterflies fly....

Our sea - Hiking!

Theme: Pirita beach in winter

Children age: 6-7 years

Objectives: The child can start games and develop game content. The child can describe the beach in winter times. The child knows rules of safe behavior in water bodies in winter.

Tools: Clothing according to cold winter day. For fishing game necessary fishing gear. And Stop sign for crossing streets.
Preparations: The teacher lets everybody know that they are going to the beach. Explains safe behavior rules. The children and teachers put on reflective vests.

Activity: The group goes to the hike to the beach. They discover snowy beach forest area. On the beach they look what is to see on horizon. Weather was cold and foggy. The sea was frozen on the beach side. Through the fog you could see a gig ship. We look and explore if it is safe to go on sea ice. From afar we could see the sea without ice.

The teacher sets limit how far the children can go on sea ice. We played two games that were leaded by teacher "Fisherman" and "Polar bears".

The children made a game themselves "Snow angels" and then thought out a game "Salt mining". The snow was gritty as a salt that day. The children game up with the comparison.

The hike went very well. The children liked running and playing on the beach.

   

Our sea - sea poem, music and picture

Theme: Reading poem of sea, listening sea music and paint pictures of sea.

Cildren age: 6-7 years

Objectives: Getting to know new words linked to the sea. Listening to music and linking it to the state of sea: mirror smooth, calmly shaking, stormy. The child can express in painting the heard poem and music mood.

Tools: Poem "Sea" Julius Oro, CD "The sounds of the sea", watercolors, brushes, water cups, drawing paper.

Preparation: Book with the poem and CD in the player. All coloring materials ready on tables.

Activity: The teacher asks children to sit at the table. The teacher reads out load the poem "Sea". She explains the new words: horizon, wave rabbit, circles and so on. They discuss what mood the poem made in them. Then puts on CD, the children listen to the music, teacher asks what mood the music is making in them. Then the children paint a sea picture along with the music.

The activity went very well. The sea paintings were diverse. The children liked the activity and all of them were very active during the activity.

    

Our Sea - Fishes in the Baltic sea

Children age: 6-7 years

Objectives: The child can find Baltic sea and Estonia on map of Europe. The child gets to know nations and states around Baltic sea. The child gets to know the fishes living in the Baltic sea. The child can draw 4 most important fishes from Baltic sea (herring, sprat, flounder and pikeperch). The child can write the names of the fishes. The child can feature sea and fishes on artwork.

Tools: map of Europe and Estonia. Pictures from fishes from Baltic sea. Glue sticks, scissors, colored paper and pens, base paper.

Preparation: The teacher hangs up maps from Europe and Estonia. Attaches to the board pictures from fishes. Puts on table colored papers, pens, scissors, glue sticks.

Activity: The teacher explains, why is there two maps hanging. And helps to find Estonia and Baltic sea on the Europe map.

She encourages children to talk about fishes who live in Baltic sea. The children tell about the fishes they know and who has been fishing.

They write the names of the fishes on board. Then they decide and tell what fish they want to craft.

The children draw fish on paper, cut out, tear colored paper waves and make beautiful sea for the fishes. Then they decorate and glue artwork from fishes.

Our Sea - Shark dance

Theme: Shark dance

Children age: 2-3 years

Objective: The children have getting to know the sea world for a week. The child knows that fish live in the sea, they have tails and fins. With Baby shark video we think ourselves to be fishes and fantasize about underwater world. We get to know different sizes: baby, mother, father, grandmother, grandfather.

Tools: Video Baby shark on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqZsoesa55w

Preparations: Learn movements with children without music and video. Then with video and music.

Activity: We talked about the sea and fishes. Looked pictures and books about them. Then we compared different size fishes. And in the end we did the dance couple of times because the children liked it so much.

Pictures about the dance during our virtual event:

 DISSEMINATION

We wrote a little article to our municipality newspapper about our virtual visit in Estonia. And here it is ....published! Thank you Estonia for the opportunity!

Creating a souvenir shop - "Our Sea"