When the mural is completed discuss with students all the features of the ocean that they have learned about. Also talk about the painting process and the final piece of art. Although there are only two lessons of the ocean included in this unit, other lessons could be used in addition before painting. Using the same Bill Nye Science Guy episode on Ocean Exploration, a lesson on how humans explore the ocean and the machines that they use could be developed. Lessons about mountains, plate tectonics, floor plains, and other geographical features would reinforce the learning features of this unit.
Fish printing is easy, fun, and water-life related.
Buy a fish at the grocery store-Red Snapper works well. Keep it slightly frozen. Roll printing paint onto the fish and make prints on paper. This is a good way to teach students about how colors mix and the surface features of fish. Students who know how to swim may have their parents take them to the swimming pool.