Lesson 5: Turtle Shells
 
 
objectives:
        The children will recognize differences in turtles by the markings and patterns on their shells. They will be able to tell how a turtle uses his shell for protection.
 
materials:
        Story-Franklin in the Dark by Paulette Bourgeois
     12x18 drawing paper
     colored construction paper-asst. colors
     lined writing paper
     one round stone for each child
     two wiggly eyes for each child
     poster paints and markers
 
procedure:
        Read the story to the class. Discuss why Franklin was afraid of the dark and how he solved his problem. Allow children to share their fears and how they overcome them. Have children brainstorm some ways that having a shell could be helpful (ie. place to hide, shelter from weather, or a storage place. Explain that real turtles hide inside their shell to protect them from predators.
      Tell children they will write a poem that starts with: "If I Had A Shell",
They will end the sentence with the reason it would be helpful if we had shells on us! They will write the poem on lined paper and staple it to the right side of the large drawing paper. They will illustrate the poem on the left side of the paper. After sharing them, they will be displayed in class.
 
Children will view a variety of turtle shells on the internet.
                          Click on the turtle to enter the site.

      Children will create "pet-rock" turtles from the stones. They will dip their finger in their choice of color and make small dot patterns all over the rounded side of the stone. Place them in a sunny spot to dry. Children can trace outlines of their favorite turtle on colored paper and glue it to the bottom of the rock. They can add designs and details to the shell with markers. They will glue 2 wiggly eyes to finish their "pet-rock" turtle.
            
closure:
            Children will make dioramas out of shoeboxes for their pet-rock turtles to live in. Their habitat will reflect what type of turtle they chose and where it lived.
 
enrichment:
             Children will read the book, A House for Hermit Crab, by Eric Carle. They will discover how he decorated his shell in unusual ways. They can read non-fiction stories on crabs and snails.

 
assessment:
             Teacher observations of children's work and dioramas.
 
 
 

                                                            back   next