Summer school seems like a long time ago. But really it was only a few weeks back. One of the activities during summer school was learning about sea turtles.
Have you read this book? It is beautiful! I did not think to take pictures of the inside and I wish I had. The illustrations are beautiful! The text is written in two ways. The main text is written in a beautiful, lyrical way that is more story like. Then more factual text is also added that gives the reader more sea turtle facts.
The students picked up on the fact that the book told about the life cycle and that the cycle repeats. So we used circles cut from wallpaper sample books to represent that cycle.
The shape at the top is to show an egg, how the turtle starts out. The rest of the shapes were made to look like turtles. You lift the flaps to read what the students wrote inside for the stages of the sea turtle.
This student wrote that the sea turtle lives among the sea weed for one stage. On the other flap they wrote that the sea turtle returns to the beach to lay their eggs.
The kids had a good time creating their life cycles and it made an interesting display for the wall.
The students also got to make their own tiny turtles. I drew a turtle shape for them to cut out. We went on a rock hunt outside to find just the right rocks for the turtle shells. Students then got to design and paint their shells. One turtle has a bottle cap for the shell. But we liked the way the rocks turned out better.
If you haven’t gotten One Tiny Turtle, this would be a great book to add to your classroom library!
Tammy says
I imagine the kids enjoyed the interactive possibilities of their turtle writing/art. Moving parts are so fun!
❀ Tammy
Forever in First
Shawna says
What a great activity'
Shawna
The Picture Book Teacher's Edition
Barbara Leyne says
I have that book. It's a great one! I'm pinning those activities.
Thanks!
Grade ONEderful
Ruby Slippers Blog Designs
Dee says
This is one of my favorites to read every year. I love the life cycle activity! Thanks for the great ideas:)
Dee:)
OvertheMoonBow.com
The Sweetest Thing says
I am your newest follower 🙂 Come stop by if you get a chance – I'd love to hear from you!
Lauren
The Sweetest Thing
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Susanna Westby says
Hi Lori! I had to do a double-take when I saw your post as I'm just taking a break from making a sight word activity book called Tiny Turtle! Huh! Anyway, I've never read that book, but turtles are big in my class so I'll look it up before school starts again. Wonderful activities as usual…thanks for sharing such inspirational stuff.
🙂
Susanna
Whimsy Workshop
Kimberley says
I love this book and I am all over this craft. I am so glad you posted about it! Thanks.
Kimberley
First in Maine
Sandi says
I loved everything! We have sea turtles on our S.C. beaches. They are so cute!
Sandi at Literacy Minute
Krista Mehrtens says
LOVE this! My 3rd graders read the story " Turtle Bay". This would be such a fabulous activity to go with it. I just had to pin it also. Thanks for sharing!
Krista
Stellar-Students
lorivines4 says
Tammy, the kids did enjoy making and writing about the sea turtles!
lorivines4 says
Thanks Shawna! Glad you came by to see the sea turtles!
lorivines4 says
Thanks for the pin, Barbara! One Tiny Turtle is a great book!
lorivines4 says
Thank you, Dee! The kids really had a good time with these sea turtle activities!
lorivines4 says
Thanks for coming by, Lauren!
lorivines4 says
That is funny, Susanna, that we were both working on turtle stuff! Hope you can use the activities!
lorivines4 says
I am so glad that you liked it, Kimberley! The kids had a good time with the sea turtle activities!
lorivines4 says
Thanks so much, Sandi! That would be so great if we lived close to the beach where the kids could have seen the sea turtles. 🙂
lorivines4 says
Thanks for the pin, Krista! I hope your students get to do the activities with your book. It sounds like I may need to add your book to this unit too!
The Brown-Bag Teacher says
Oh my goodness, how precious! I absolutely love your turtles. It looks like you all had a fantastic time! 🙂
Catherine
The Brown-Bag Teacher
lorivines4 says
Thank you so much, Catherine! We did enjoy these activities. 🙂 Thanks for coming by!