Turtle Classroom Ideas

Bringing pets into the classroom is a huge responsibility, so you should make a well-informed decision when choosing a type of animal. Turtles are an appropriate choice for a classroom pet, because they are not noisy and you can confine them to an aquarium. Borrow a pet turtle from one of the children or a fellow teacher and keep it in the classroom until the children understand how to care for it correctly. Teaching a class about turtles is also a good way to introduce the subject of life sciences.

  1. Learning About Turtles

    • Turtles are fascinating creatures whose habits present teachers with many ideas for life science lessons. Turtles are reptiles and cold-blooded, taking on the temperature of their environment. Turtles first existed during the time of the dinosaurs and have not changed in any major way. You will find turtles in the sea, in fresh water and on land. Depending on the species of turtle, these creatures may eat either plants or meat. Turtles inhabit every continent except Antarctica.

    Learning to Care for Turtles

    • Depending on whether they are aquatic or land dwellers, you can keep turtles in an aquarium with water or in one with soil and grass. Turtles need to be kept warm, and those living in water require an aquarium heater. A heat lamp positioned above the aquarium will supply land-dwelling turtles with heat. Children can also be shown how to replace the water and clean the aquarium filters in a tank that contains aquatic turtles and can learn about feeding turtles regularly with the correct foods.

    Turtles for Inspiration

    • Living turtles can inspire many creative exercises, such as drawing and making egg carton animals. Children can be asked to look at their classroom turtle and then color in the outline of a turtle drawn on white paper. The class can also make turtles out of egg cartons. Children can work in groups or alone and can also use crayons to draw their own turtles and other animals that live in the same habitats as these fascinating shelled creatures.

    Turtle Tales

    • Reading non-fiction stories about turtles to the children is an engaging way for preschoolers and elementary school children to learn. Titles such as "Look Out for Turtles" by Melvin Berger and "One Tiny Turtle" by Nicola Davis are good choices for these young people. The children can also be asked to tell their own turtle stories, particularly if their family has a turtle at home or if they have seen turtles living in nature or in a zoo.