Tail of the Week: Turtles!
This week we are looking at another animal with a tiny tale – the turtle!
There are lots of books with information about turtles in the library, and lots of stories, too. One of the most famous stories is the fable about the tortoise and the hare. The Library has several different versions by different illustrators – come and take a look!
Learn more about turtles by visiting this website:
gardenstatetortoise.com
This educational site has lots of facts and photos about turtles in New Jersey. Pay attention to the patterns on the turtle shells – you may want to copy them for the craft below! You can pick up a basic kit for this craft at the Main Library or use whatever you have on hand at home.
Standing Turtle Craft
What you need:
- 2 paper turtle shells OR a large piece of paper and something round to trace
- strip of paper approx. 5″ x 3″ in a different color
- glue stick
- crayons, markers, and/or scrap paper
- Optional: pencil and scissors for tracing
- Optional: paint (any kind) and cosmetic sponge
What you do:
- If you don’t have a kit, make the two turtle shells by tracing a large circle (a dinner plate or paper plate is the perfect size) onto a piece of sturdy paper. Cut out the circle and then fold it and cut it in half, and you will have two turtle shells!
- From the paper strip, cut four short strips for the turtle’s feet. Save some of the paper for the turtle’s head and tail. Our turtle feet were approx. 2 1/2 inches by 1 inch. Use scissors to round the edges on one side.
- Cut the turtle’s head and a tiny tail from the remaining paper.
- Glue the four feet on the straight side of one turtle shell.
- Glue the head on one end and the tiny tail on the opposite end.
- Glue the second turtle shell on top of the first one so that the feet and head are sandwiched inside.
- Decorate the shell on both sides with crayons or markers OR make a collage with torn pieces of paper glued onto the shell OR use a cosmetic sponge dipped in paint to dab a pattern on the shell.
- Fold the turtle’s legs in alternating directions so that the turtle will stand.
Make lots of turtles in lots of different colors! You might even want to make one in patriotic colors, just for fun. And don’t forget to join the Tails and Tales Summer Reading Program:
https://www.libraryinsight.net/rplogon.asp?jx=ft&rp=1336
Click on the “Sign Up” button to register. Once you’ve registered, type in your library barcode and PIN and then click the “Log In” button to log your reading. All reading counts – even reading the directions on this blog! Just make your best guess about how much time you spent reading. TIP: If you want your reading prizes sent to the Branch Library, email annelmay@franklintwp.org or call the Children’s Desk at the Main Library.
