Walk of the Whales by Nick Bland is a beautifully written and illustrated picture book that inspires deep conversations about humanity’s impact on the environment. These Walk of the Whales activities and teaching ideas will help your students think critically about conservation, empathy, and positive change.
🌊 Why Teach Walk of the Whales?
When all the whales in the ocean suddenly leave their home to walk on land, people don’t quite know what to think. Soon, shops close, farms flood, and people grow angry — until one smart little girl asks the whales what can be done to help.
This CBCA-shortlisted story encourages young readers to reflect on how humans affect marine life and what we can do to protect the world around us. It’s a wonderful starting point for units on sustainability, persuasive writing, and environmental awareness.
🧠 Teaching Ideas for Walk of the Whales
- Explore whale habitats. Compare the effects of whales living in the ocean versus on land. Discuss their role in the marine ecosystem and how they help maintain environmental balance.
- Persuasive writing with OREO. Have students evaluate whether whales should stay on land or return to the ocean. Encourage them to use the OREO format (Opinion, Reason, Example, Opinion) to support their arguments.
- Create opinion posters. Let students design posters showing their stance on the whale dilemma. This is a fun way to blend art and critical thinking.
- Write a newspaper article. Ask students to write a creative news report chronicling the day the whales first walked onto land. This imaginative task builds writing and empathy skills.
- Research project. Investigate the evolution of whales and their transition from land to sea. Compare early mammals with modern whales to explore adaptation and environmental change.
📘 Ready-to-Use Walk of the Whales Classroom Resource
Bring this stunning story to life with my Walk of the Whales Activities & Worksheets — perfect for Book Week or any environmental education unit.
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