My Cool Rockpool Habitat

The Book

In The Rockpool

Written by Andrea Rowe, illustrated by Hannah Sommerville, published by Little Hare Books

The book invites young readers on a sensory exploration of the creatures and treasures found in coastal rockpools. The story encourages children to observe and describe the natural features of seaside habitats, including the plants and animals that live there, supporting understanding of animal needs and environments (AC9S1U01 – Year 1, Science).

As children engage with the rhythmic text and detailed illustrations, they also practise early number skills, such as counting shells, crabs, and other seaside items, reinforcing concepts of matching quantities with numerals and naming numbers in sequence (AC9MFN01 – Foundation Year, Mathematics).

This book is a rich cross-curricular resource, perfect for supporting science and maths learning through storytelling, observation, and wonder.

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Resource creator

Kristina Wood

Subject

Habitats (Science), Ocean (Science),

Level

Year 1,

Description

Explore early childhood science with this fun habitat science activity. Learn how rockpool creatures survive in their home.

Learning Intentions

• We are learning how a habitat helps marine life survive by providing what they need.

Successful Criteria

• I can name at least two sea creatures living in the rockpool.
• I can name at least two things a sea creature needs to live.
• I can explain how a rockpool habitat provides for those needs.

Curriculum Alignment

AC9S1U01 9.0 (Science Year 1): Identify the basic needs of plants and animals, including air, water, food or shelter, and describe how the places they live meet those needs

• identifying the places where plants and animals live, including in our homes, local areas such as ponds, national parks, gardens or zoos
• identifying what they do to look after pets or plants at home and grouping these activities
• identifying and comparing the needs of a variety of plants and animals, including humans, based on their own experiences
• creating dioramas of a place a plant or animal lives, and identifying the features that enable it to meet its needs
• recognising how First Nations Australians care for living things
• exploring why caring for plants and animals is important including as sources of food and fibre

Materials

Picture book: In the Rockpool by Andrea Rowe
My Cool Rockpool Habitat sheet
Visuals or real-life images of rockpool creatures

Instructions

1. Read Aloud

Read ‘In the Rockpool’ by Andrea Rowe aloud to the class.
Pause to discuss and reflect:
- What creatures do we see?

2. Class Discussion

Discuss what a habitat is and what makes a rockpool special.
Use visuals of real rockpool creatures and prompt children with questions:
- What do you think this animal needs?
- Where might it hide?
- What does it eat?

3. Design a Rockpool Habitat

Children pick one or more sea creatures to draw in their rockpool.
Then design a rockpool habitat to suit their creatures using drawing materials.
Finish off by colouring their cool rockpool.
Encourage them to include rocks, water, sand, or seaweed.
Support with questions like: Where would your crab hide?

Extensions

Visit a local beach or aquarium to observe real rockpool habitats.
Use digital tablets to research facts about marine life.
Create a large collaborative rockpool habitat mural in the classroom.

Downloads

	Free Version	Paid Version
Material contents	1 x Rockpool colouring sheet (pdf)	1 x Rockpool colouring sheet (pdf) 1 x sea creature cut-out sheet (pdf)
Instructions	Not included	Included
Redownloads	5 per download	Unlimited
Download	FREE DOWNLOAD	BUY WITH $1.49