ext, have your class visit the beautiful island of Martinique where the setting for this book takes place. Choose the guided tour for a graphic introduction of the people, panoramic island views, and activities.
ow that you've visited Martinique, take the plunge into the ocean with these underwater photographs. From the Caribbean to the Pacific Ocean, these annotated images will bring the ocean into your classroom.
fter viewing these photographs, go back and review the book, The Owl and the Pussycat. See how many fish your kids can identify! Have your children find out what quince, mince, and a runcible spoon are. See if they can find this information in their classroom dictionary or encyclopedia.
ou could also have children search for their own sites about the ocean using the Yahooligan search engine. Have the children work in a large group and brainstorm for words that they could use to look up information. Show the children what the correct spellings are of the words and, then have them type these words in the search engine. Ask children to evaluate whether the sites they found are great ones about oceans.
or an art project, have the kids create a crayon drawing of the underwater life they've been studying. Using a light blue color wash, let the kids paint over their drawing for an underwater effect.
ver 100 years ago, English author Edward Lear penned this timeless classical poem of the courtship and marriage of the Owl and the Pussycat. As this poem begins, the Owl and the Pussycat set off to sea, fall in love, and are married "where the bong trees grow."
an Brett has breathed new life in this age-old poem by tieing the island and ocean life of Martinique into the poem. Her images are so realistic, that your children will be naming plant and animal life found there as you read the book together. "Hey look! A porcupine fish!"
his would be a great book to add to your collection of ocean stories or to begin a lesson on ocean life. After reading this to your class, visit 
