Reptiles Lessons for Preschool Circle Time

Discover turtles by studying photos and models while learning the ASL sign for turtle. Sing a life cycle song with small models to understand how turtles grow. Enjoy the rhyming puppet poem “I Have a Little Turtle” and search for hidden “turtle eggs” in a shape game. Listen to Truman by Jean Reidy. For a home project, stack cups or bowls to build your own turtle tower.

Explore the world of snakes with photos, models, and a video while learning the ASL sign for snake. Practice counting and sorting animals by the number of legs—especially “zero” for snakes! Sing the SNAKE bingo song on the pocket chart. Enjoy The Very Greedy Python by Eric Carle. For a home project, roll and decorate your own play dough snakes using beads or gems.

Discover the differences between alligators and crocodiles with photos and models. Sing new verses to “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” featuring alligators. Sort pictures by beginning sounds A and C for a fun letter activity. Listen to The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water by Gemma Merino. At home, try alligator and crocodile writing using green-colored salt in a shallow tray.

Learn about fascinating lizards and chameleons with photos, models, and a video of a blue-tongued skink. Practice position words with the “Lizard” flannel board song. Build early reading skills with “I See a Chameleon” from the Colors unit. Enjoy A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni. For the home project, play “Find the Lizard” with cups and a small toy or picture.

Dive into the world of reptiles through songs and sorting games. Sing “Would You Like a ____?” with different reptiles and sort pictures into Reptile/Not Reptile categories. Practice memory skills with the Reptile tray at the pocket chart. Enjoy The Reptile Club by Maureen Fergus. For the home project, make a reptile play bin with mulch, plastic reptiles, and small rocks.