Help kids get to know these ancient oceanic reptiles.
Sea turtles are large turtles that live in warm waters and rarely come to shores except to nest and lay eggs. Like other turtles, they have hard shells for protection and strong beaks with jagged edges. Fossil records show that sea turtles have been on earth for 150 million years, but in the most recent century, their numbers have dwindled. Teaching kids about sea turtles is one way to inspire respect for these animals and perhaps reverse the population's downward trend.
Build Nests
Children are often interested in baby animals, so engage them in an activity to help them learn about the life-cycle of sea turtles. If you have access to a place where the kids can dig in sand or dirt, explain what sea turtle nests look like and show some footage of sea turtles building nests. Have the children make fake sea turtle eggs by painting plastic Easter eggs white with spots; then have them build nests in small groups and put their eggs inside to replicate sea turtle nests.
Paper Plate Sea Turtle
Have the kids color paper plates green and brown, like the shell of a turtle. Make templates for them to trace and cut out the turtles' heads, legs and tails. Attach the appendages with brads so they can move back and forth. Thicker paper plates will be more shell-like and sturdy. Increase the complexity of this activity by using one paper plate for the carapace (top shell) and one for the plastron (bottom shell). Fasten the limbs to the lower plate, the head to the upper and then connect the two plates with a ring of glue or double-sided tape around the edges of the plates.
Turtle Hospital
Use the "turtle hospital" case list from the Sea Turtle Inc. website to produce a problem-solving lesson for older students. Discuss the dangers sea turtles face, such as loss of nesting grounds, interference from boats and fishing lines. Have students read the list of patients at the turtle hospital or make up your own list of turtles and injuries; then brainstorm in small groups to think of ways to reduce such injuries and damage. This activity can be adapted to use with middle school or high school students.
More Resources
Several websites dedicated to spreading knowledge of sea turtles and awareness of their plight also offer activities for children. Sea Turtle Inc. has a variety of coloring pages, crafts and worksheets available to print at no cost. Visit Kids National Geographic's website to kid-friendly factsheets and the Sea Turtle Conservancy has a useful Educator's Corner for more resources.
Tags: paper plates, small groups, turtle nests, turtles have