At the Beach

Age: 2 years old

Class Size: 15 children

Class Duration: 1 hour

Preparation:

1. Prepare the storybook "It's a Seashell Day".

2. Prepare beach-themed vocabulary flashcards: Sand, Sea, Rocks, Shells, and Seaweed.

3. Bring a small plastic bucket and 10 real or paper cutout seashells to match the story's progression.

Part 1: Story Introduction and Vocabulary Activity

"It's a Seashell Day" Story & Counting Integration

Target Vocabulary:

• Sand

• Sea

• Rocks

• Shells

• Seaweed

Target Sentence Structures:

• “How many [objects] on the beach?”

• “I can see [objects] on the beach.”

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Identify core beach vocabulary items on command.

2. Respond to the question "How many [objects] on the beach?" by counting along with the teacher using physical items.

3. Use the frame "I can see [objects] on the beach" to label items found in the story.

Class Details:

1. Warm-Up (5 mins): Sing a simple beach song (e.g., to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus"): "The waves on the sea go up and down, up and down, up and down... All through the beach!" Move hands like rolling waves.

2. Story & Vocabulary Introduction (5 mins): Introduce the story "It's a Seashell Day." Show pages featuring the setting. Point and say, "Look at the sand. This is the beach." Point to the water: "I can see the sea." Stop at the rock illustration and teach "Rocks" by tapping on the floor.

3. The Interactive Story-Counting Game (20 mins): Read the book (or play the video clip). Turn the reading into an active, physical counting game:

   • The Rock Stop: Point to a card and say, "Is this a shell? No, it's a rock!" Ask: "How many rocks on the beach?" Count: "One!" Lead them to say: "I can see a rock on the beach."

   • Shell Hunt 1–4: As the character counts shells 1, 2, 3, 4 in the story, the teacher pulls out 4 physical shells one by one and places them on the mat. Ask the class: "How many shells are on the beach?" Guide toddlers to count: "One, two, three, four!" Have them repeat: "I can see shells on the beach."

   • Shell Hunt 5–8: Continue reading as the character finds shells 5, 6, 7, 8. Add 4 more physical shells to the mat. Ask: "How many shells are on the beach now?" Count together up to 8.

   • The Big 10 Finish: Add the final two shells to make 10. Bring out a beach bucket and say, "Let's put them in the bucket to take home!"

4. Vocabulary Review (5 mins): Lay out the cards for Sand, Sea, Rocks, Shells, and Seaweed. Play a fast-paced game where children take turns wiggling like green Seaweed or stomping on the Sand when the teacher holds up the corresponding card.

Assessment:

• Observe if children can count along from 1 to 4 using the physical shells placed on the mat.

• Listen for the use of the target structure "I can see..." when toddlers point to the story objects.

• Evaluate response engagement during the bucket-filling activity.

Remarks & Reminders for Teachers:

• While the story counts all the way up to 10, focus the independent counting assessment for 2-year-olds on numbers 1 through 4. Numbers 5 to 10 should be treated as a fun group chant rather than an expectation for individual mastery.

Part 2: Art and Craft Activity

Making a "Peek-a-Boo Surprise Shell"

Learning Objectives: By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

1. Create a 3D seashell craft that opens and closes.

2. Develop fine motor skills through painting and sticking a "pearl."

3. Practice the target sentence "I can see [object]" by looking inside the shell.

Materials List:

• White paper plates that are pre-cut into shell shapes.

• Washable paints (bright beach colors like yellow, purple, orange, and teal).

• Colourful pom-poms (to represent the "pearl").

• Glue sticks or strong double-sided tape.

• Paintbrushes or sponges.

Class Details:

1. Introduction (5 mins): Show a completed sample shell. Keep it closed and ask, "How many shells on the beach? One!" Then, slowly open it to reveal the pearl and shout, "I can see a pearl!"

2. Painting the Shell (10 mins): Give each child their hinged paper plate shell. Guide them to paint the outside of the shell using bright, wavy colors. Encourage them to say the colors as they paint (e.g., "Yellow shell!").

3. The Pearl Surprise (10 mins): Once the paint is slightly set (or while it's still wet if using sponges), help the children apply glue to the inside center of the bottom plate. Have them press the big white pom-pom (the pearl) onto the glue.

4. Story Integration & Play (5 mins): Have the children close their shells. Ask, "How many shells?" (One!). Then tell everyone to "Open!" and chant together: "I can see a pearl!"

5. Clean-Up (5 mins): Use wet wipes for messy hands. Assist children in putting their shells in a safe place to dry.

Assessment:

• Observe the child's ability to open the craft to reveal the pearl.

• Assess fine motor coordination during the painting and pom-pom placement.

• Evaluate if the child can repeat "I can see..." when prompted.

Notes for Teachers:

• Pre-hinging is crucial: The shells should be pre-stapled or taped together at the base by the teacher so the toddlers only focus on the decoration and the surprise inside.

• Encourage the "Peek-a-boo" motion (opening and closing the shell) as this is a high-engagement action for 2-year-olds.

• If using paint, keep it relatively dry (using sponges) so the crafts are ready to be handled sooner.

Follow-Up:

• Place the shells on a display table. Ask individual children to "show the surprise" to review: "I can see a pearl!"

• Tell parents to play the "How many shells?" game at home using the new craft.

Reference image for art and craft: