Free Printables and Unit Studies About Whales

Published:
August 17, 2020

Contributor:
Jeannette Tuionetoa

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I am so excited to be sharing with you these whale resources. Study some of the most beautiful and largest mammals on the planet with these free printables and unit studies about whales.

Free Printables and Unit Studies About Whales text with image of a whale underwater

Why am I so excited to tell you about whales today?

I live in the Kingdom of Tonga and we are smack in the middle of WHALE SEASON! Yes, we have a whale season.

From July to October people from all over the world travel to Tonga for an experience of a lifetime. They come to see the Tongan Tribe of southern hemisphere humpback whales.

Every year around this time, the weather gets cooler, and cooler weather means the whales are near. Our country hosts hundreds of the largest sea creatures on the entire planet, for a short period during the year.

My whale experience:

I haven’t been one of the blessed ones who get a peek at whales every year. I was here 4 years before seeing whales in close proximity and it wasn’t even planned.

My friend has a plot of land near a beach on the western side of the island. Our families headed to the beach area to spend the day at the beach. We were setting up the picnic table and almost dropped our marbles as we saw a family of whales just off the reef, a very close reef. We wanted to cry and when I say we, I mean the adults.

The kids thought it was pretty cool, be we were in awe. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I can’t help but think of how God created such beautiful creatures to roam the waters on the same earth as us.

Why do whales come to Tonga?

The incredible humpback whale, the gentle giants of the ocean, bless the coasts of our island on a 3,728 mile (6000 kms) journey from the waters of Southern Ocean, also known as the Antarctic Ocean, up past the east coast of New Zealand.

The humpback whales travel to Tonga from the Antarctic, one of the largest and longest animal movements in the world. They come here for two reasons.

Their journey is for mating and for giving birth. They travel the entire distance every year for this purpose and it is an absolutely magical sight to see.

I am a whale fan!

My friends who own a brand new and the only “retreat” in Tonga, live by a cliff overseeing one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. They wake up to the whales every morning from July to October. How amazing is that? By the way, this amazing getaway is called Katea Retreat. Trust me, the pictures do not do it justice.

We are planning to head over to their home to try and catch a glimpse of the humpback whales before this season is over. I can tell you firsthand that seeing a whale at close proximity is something extraordinary and mind-blowing.

The photo below is an actual picture taken from one of our friends and brother-in-Christ, Christopher Paquette of One Love Inc. in Tonga.

A whale jumping out of the water

Enough of me. I am glad to share with you some absolutely free resources to study whales in your homeschool.

Recommended Resource: Ocean Notebook – Companion to Ocean Anatomy by Julia Rothman

In the Ocean Notebook, students will use a combination of written narration, drawing, and labeling alongside Ocean Anatomy by Julia Rothman to learn all about life in the ocean, layers of the ocean, the ocean floor, coral reefs, tide pools, and much more.

Ocean Anatomy book overlapping the Ocean Notebook book on top of a marble background with seashells scattered

Explore these free unit studies about whales:

FREE Class! Introduction to Whales and Dolphins Online Unit Study | NatureGlo’s eScience

Whale Unit (and the Arctic) — Icebergs, Blubber experiment, Buoyancy, and more | Homeschool Den

Blue Whale Unit Study | The Homeschool Scientist

Resources for Learning About Whales | Homeschooling Kinetic Kids

Antarctica: Learning About Whales | TrilliumMontessori.ORG

Preschool Whale Unit | Carrots are Orange

Grab these free printables about whales to go alongside your unit study.

FREE Types of Whales Matching Game

Types of Whales Matching Game text with image of a whale jumping out of the water

FREE Whales Animal Study & Lapbook | Homeschool Share

Whales FREE Worksheets for Kids | Living, Life, and Learning

Sharks vs. Whales ELA and Science FREEBIE | Bonnie Kathryn Teaching

BIG List of Whale Resources

Big List of Whale Resources text with animated image of a whale

FREE Printable: Types of Whales | TrilliumMontessori.ORG

Whales and Dolphins (FREE Matching and Fact Cards) | Pinay Homeschooler

FREE Printable Whale Cards | Simple Living Creative Learning

Wonderful Whale And Water-Bead Sensory Bin (FREE Printables) | Living Montessori Now

Wonderful Whale and Water Bead Sensory Bin

FREE Printable Whale Writing Prompts | 123Homeschool4Me

Whales for Kids: An Engaging Classroom Project | Proud to Be Primary

FREE Whale Notebooking Pages | Pool Noodles and Pixie Dust

Killer Whale Facts for Kids FREE Printable | Itsy Bitsy Fun

Types of Whales FREEBIE Emergent Readers | In All You Do

Types of Whales Emergent Readers text with image examples of pages

FREE Whale Printable Activities for Kids | KidsActivities Blog

W is for Whale FREE Download | Only Passionate Curiosity

Jonah and The Whale Preschool FREE Printables | Homeschool Preschool

Humphry the Lost Whale FREE Download | Homeschool Share

FREE Whale Printables ( Vocab, Word Search, Etc.) | ThoughtCo.

Whale FREE Notebooking Page | Homeschool Helper Online

Resources All About Whales | Teacher Planet

Whale Facts & FREE Worksheets | KidsKonnect

These free activities, videos, crafts about whales will help your kids experience a little about these magnificent creatures.

Information about Whale | bioexpedition

Learning About Whales: Whale Science Project (hands-on blubber experiment) | Brie Brie Blooms

Blue Whale Paper Bag Craft and Template For Kids | A Little Pinch of Perfect

Whale Craft for Kids with FREE Printable Template | Buggy and Buddy

FREE Printable Blue Whale Craft | Mama Likes This

Blue Whale Paper Plate Craft | Mas & Pas

10 Wonderful Whale Crafts For Kids | Artsy Craftsy Mom

Whales Learning Videos for Kids | Little Cozy Nook

What a Whale! Facts and Activities About Whales | Scholastic.com

Whale Activities & Fun Ideas for Kids | ChildFun.com

It is hard to believe that whales are mammals just like us. We are only a few feet tall, yet the Blue Whale is the largest animal being 100 feet in length and 120 tons.

God is so amazing. Creation glorifies His name!

Free Printables and Unit Studies About Whales text with background image of a whale underwater