Students in The Miami Valley School’s early childhood program, ages three to five, explored our oceans this week, learning about the large bodies of water and the fascinating animals that live deep within them.

Students examined the different shapes, textures and colors of shells, and played with sand and plastic whales and dolphins in a water table.

They created an octopus out of a paper bag after learning about the animal and its eight arms (tentacles). Students also learned about mollusks, which are animals with no bones who often have a hard shell to protect them from being eaten. Using large pasta shells, students were able to create their own mollusk and take it home.

On Thursday, March 4, early childhood students will visit Newport Aquarium to see and touch many of these animals firsthand.