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Turtle-ly Awesome!

Kids love turtles! They're gentle, but tough, slow but persistent. Aesop's "Tortoise and the Hare" teaches young children that slow and steady wins the race, the power of determination, and to never understimate others. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles shout Turtle power! Other famous turtles include: Franklin, Crush from Finding Nemo, Koopa from Mario Bros., and Yertle by Dr. Seuss.  

Lessonpix has Turtle templates that can be used in creating turtle-themed instruction or visuals. Here are some turtle ideas to start...

 

Objectives

Embed learning objectives into a fun turtle theme. Here are some basic learning objectives focusing on turtles: 

  • Students will learn about the characteristics and habitats of turtles.
  • Students will understand the life cycle of turtles.
  • Students will identify different species of turtles and their unique features.

 

Introduction / KWL

Start with a spark! Show a real turtle or show a short video or a series of pictures about turtles.

Discover students' prior knowledge by talking about their experiences with turtles, what they know and any misconceptions. 

Use the KWL approach on large chart paper. Write what the students' (K) Know and (W) want to know. When finsihed with the unit, write what they have (L) learned about turtles. 

KWL Turtles - Sorting Mats  KWL on Turtles - Picture Cards

 

Snack Time!

Here's a yummy turtle snack with apple and grapes! (Icing is the glue)

 

Art and Dramatic Play

Make your own turtle shell. 

 

Managing Feelings

Talk about strong feelings and how to manage them. One of the best Turtle resources is Tucker Turtle. Tucker is a Turtle who teaches ways to calm and social skills instruction. Check out Tucker resources.

Post visuals to use in practicing and as reminders when managing strong feelings. 

Tucker Turtle - Picture Schedule

Review what feelings look like and how to rate your own state of emotion. 

How Am I Feeling? - Scales and Ratings

Here are other feelings activities. 

My Feelings Book (Lighter skin tone) - Books and Stories How does Tucker feel? - Bingo Dauber Pages Bingo - Bingo Games

Turtle Emotions - Game Spinner

 

Making Friends

It is important to talk about how managing strong feelings and learning to solve problems help make you a good friend. 

Nice Behaviors Make Nice Friends - Themed Picture Cards

Try a game of I Have Who Has about friendship. 

Turtle I Have.. Who Has - I Have.. Who Has

 

Alphabet and Phonological Awareness

Use turtles in alphabet games and visuals. 

Tt as in turtle - Picture Cards

 

Speech and Articulation

Turtles work well in speech and other therapies as a reminder to slow down. 

 -  Turtle Speech - Books and Stories Pause and Use Turtle Speech - First Then Boards

Smooth Speech - Cutting Lines

 

Turtles are a fun and motivating for articulation practice too!

Tea for Turtle - Large and Small Pictures P practice - Themed Picture Cards

 

Teaching Rules

Make visuals and small books about following rules. This story shows a turtle learning to use Zoom for remote learning. 

https://lessonpix.com/materials/10597043/Timmy+Learns+Zoom+Rules

 

Reward Systems and Celebrations

Add turtles to certificates selebrating slower speech or using positive behaviors. 

Turtle Power Certificate - Certificates