Early Year 2 – Entry Point: Exploring Life Under the Sea
EY2 children started the new the theme “Exploring Life Under the Sea” by having an engaging entry point as the beginning of a month-long exploration of ocean life. The lesson began with imaginative role play, inviting pupils to become ocean explorers by wearing swimming goggles and pretending to dive into the sea. Through guided movements such as swimming slowly, diving deeper, and moving like sea creatures, children reconnected with prior learning and personal experiences. Story time with A House for Hermit Crab further deepened this connection, as pupils listened to a story about growing, finding a new home, and making new friends.
As the lesson unfolded, children were introduced to a range of ocean-themed vocabulary, including jellyfish, starfish, octopus, dolphin, and seaweed. Visual flashcards and teacher-led discussion supported language development and encouraged children to talk about how the hermit crab changed over time. By relating the character’s journey to their own experiences from the previous semester, pupils built understanding, empathy, and confidence in expressing ideas.
Learning was strengthened through a hands-on activity where children created their own Ocean in a Bottle. As they observed waves and imagined sea animals living inside, they also noticed how sand, water, and oil settled into layers. This simple experiment nurtured curiosity, early scientific thinking, and a deeper appreciation of life under the sea.
