Turtles and Tortoises

Objectives:

• Students will be able to describe the physical characteristics of turtles and tortoises.

• Students will be able to identify the behavioral characteristics of turtles and tortoises.

• Students will be able to describe the difference between tortoises and other turtles.

Suggested Grades:

3rd Grade - 4th Grade - 5th Grade

Lesson Procedure:

Print the reading comprehension worksheet passage and questions (see below).

Students should read the passage silently, then answer the questions. Teachers may also use the text as part of a classroom lesson plan.

Lesson Excerpt:

Turtles and tortoises have been on the earth for millions of years. In fact, there were turtles on earth along with the dinosaurs! Turtles and tortoises are reptiles with outer shells that are part of their skeletons. Their shells are actually made up of about sixty different bones that are connected together. Turtles and tortoises use their shells for protection from predators. They can pull their head and legs inside the shell so they can hide from their enemies. Tortoises are turtles that live on land. Some turtles spend part of the time on land and part of the time in the water. Others, like sea turtles, live in the water all of the time, except when females go on land to lay their eggs. Turtles and tortoises are found throughout the world in most climates. As reptiles, they are cold-blooded, meaning that their body temperature changes depending on the temperature of their environment.

Continued...