Learning about Science, Art and good citizenship can be so much fun while learning about Sea Turtles using the picture book, Follow the Moon Home by Philippe Cousteau.
This program will be well received in our pajama storytime, Stem Storytime or Stem bookclub. It is a great opportunity to teach science, good citizenship and allow children to tap into their creative side.
Children will listen to or read as a group the book, Follow the Moon Home by Philippe Cousteau. After reading the story, share nonfiction books about sea turtles teaching kids about the body parts of the sea turtle. Great examples of books are:
The Sea Turtle by Gail Gibbons
Sea Turtle by Camilla de la Bedoyere
Sea Turtles: Ocean Nomads by Mary M. Cerullo
The Return of the Green Sea Turtle by Melissa Rae Shofner
A Sea Turtle's Life by Ellen Lawrence
If time permits, sharing videos such as this is a great way to help children learn about sea turtles.
Source: See Turtles. (2012, September 25). See Turtle Migration. [YouTube Video]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/ZS0kXtmXuj8.
Afterwards, children will go to craft tables and create their own sea turtle out of air clay.
Material:
Air-Dry Clay: Crayola Air-Dry Clay, White, 5 pounds Resealable Bucket, For Classroom, Educational, Art Tools, 3 Pack (15 pounds Total) $51.00 (Amazon)
Old Newspapers or plastic tablecloths from the dollar store.
Toothpicks
Straws
Directions:
Place newspaper or a plastic tablecloth on craft tables.
Grab a handful of clay.
Soften it a bit with your hands and form it into an oval-like ball.
Gently stretch the clay to form the head and flippers. (If you create your sculpture all in one piece, rather than attaching the flippers and a head separately, your sea turtle is less likely to fall apart once it dries).
Use your fingers to shape the turtle, smoothing out the clay as you work.
Gently stretch out a little tail for your sea turtle and use some extra clay to make eyes.
Once your happy with the shape of your sea turtle, it's time to add the details. Use a toothpick to draw lines for the shell design and to make the turtles mouth.
You can use a straw to help design the turtles flippers and head.
Children can take the turtles home. Please remember to tell them it will take 2 - 4 days for the clay to harden.
Reference:
Buggy and Buddy. (2016, March 23). Clay Sea Turtle Art Activity for Kids. Retrieved from https://buggyandbuddy.com/clay-sea-turtle-art-activity-for-kids/
Note to Self: We did this program on 7/30/2019 in a pajama storytime for kids 2nd - 6th grade. Most kids had difficulty with this clay project. I would like to look into an easier sea turtle craft for next year.
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