Under the Sea Lessons for Life: Volume 1

This standout activity guide can be used by educators, counselors, and parents to help elementary school-aged children develop the social and emotional skills they need for success in school, in relationships, and in life!

Inspired by the amazing marine life surrounding the Raja Ampat Reef in the western Pacific Ocean, this guide includes five entertaining short stories, written in rhyme and featuring lovable animals as the main characters. The animals include a dugong, a bottlenose dolphin, a blue-ringed octopus, a manta ray, and a hawksbill turtle. Each embodies and brings to life one of these essential life skills: managing stress, using whole-body listening, resolving conflict, expressing empathy, and making friends.

The stories are supplemented by fun, engaging activities that further support skill development and academic growth. The activities allow kids to explore art, movement, science and technology, writing, math, music, coloring, and structured group discussion. The variety of options allows multiple ways for children to enhance their understanding of a skill while also growing academically.

All the activities can be individualized or modified to accommodate different needs, capabilities, and learning styles. In addition, they can be blended into existing academic lesson plans, assigned as homework, or used as stand-alone lessons. Some are specifically designed for collaboration and group work, while others can be done independently. For ease and convenience, every activity includes a list of materials, step-by-step instructions, and supporting documents, such as worksheets, answer keys, and handouts.

A special code inside the guide allows users to display or download a printable, full-color PDF student version of Under the Sea. All five stories, plus color photos and illustrations of the animals, trivia questions, and a helpful glossary are included. The code also allows users to display or download additional worksheets, answer keys, and handouts.

Under the Sea, Lessons for Life is the first volume in what will be a two-volume series and is an ideal companion to the popular Basic Social Skills for Youth and Teaching Social Skills to Youth, Fourth Edition, both available from Boys Town Press.

Sara Kinsey, MEd, NCC, is an up-and-coming author with a passion for educating, motivating, and inspiring children in fun and creative ways. She is a fierce advocate for all her students and strives to help them feel safe, loved, and valued for who they are as individuals.

Through her stories and corresponding activities, she addresses important life skills to empower children, including stress management, coping skills, whole-body listening, conflict resolution, having a growth mindset, kindness, empathy, friendship, self-confidence, diversity, bullying, and more.

Currently serving as a school counselor in Georgia, Sara earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Marist College, studied abroad in London, and earned her master's degree in counselor education from The Citadel Graduate College in Charleston, South Carolina.

In her spare time, she enjoys learning new things, painting, ceramics, hiking, and cuddling her kitten. You can follow her on Instagram, X (Twitter), and TikTok @skinsey_writes. Her Facebook page is Sara Kinsey - Author.

Brian Martin, a graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design, passionately tells stories through illustration. His award-winning work has been featured in publications across the country. Brian, his wife, and their four children live in Virginia.