Turtle Exploration

For the last couple of weeks, we have been learning about our turtle, Taffy. Taffy is an Eastern Painted Turtle who is decades old! However, she still likes to play games! In the “Escape” game, the students sit in a circle and we put Taffy in the middle. We then observe Taffy as she paces in circles, trying to find an opening. We asked one child to create an opening in the circle and watched as Taffy made a run for it! The kids loved it!

Observational Drawing

We watched an informational video about painted turtles and how they make the best pets. We also learned many facts about all kinds of painted turtles, including:

• Male turtles have a flat back and females have a rounded back.
• Male turtles have longer tails and nails on their forelegs.
• The small, rectangular shapes around the edge of the turtle’s shell are called “scoots.” One “scoot” equals one year of age.
• In winter, Eastern Painted Turtles freeze and then they thaw out in the spring.
• Turtles eat bugs, guppies, fish, dragonfly larvae, and sometimes, the dragonfly!
• Turtles can dig for food, protection, or to nest.

Artistic Process

First, students used a sharpie to draw their turtle. Everyone wanted to make an old turtle so they drew a lot of scoots! We then learned how to use watercolor pencils to blend the turtle’s many bright colors. The illustrations are stunning, and you are welcome to stop by and view them for yourself! They are hanging outside our classroom on the bulletin board.

The Magic Treehouse by Enid Blyton

We have started a new book at our Read Aloud in the afternoon, called “The Magic Treehouse” by Enid Blyton. As part of our theme and learning about places, we went on an expedition to the Fells to collect sticks, twigs, and other items that we can use to create our own magic treehouses. It was a mile walk, each way, and it was such a beautiful day! We wandered through the fallen trunks, climbed over rocks, searching for the “just right” stick.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Ms. Lisa and Ms. Jen