Reptile Lesson Plan for Preschool and Homeschool 2-5 year olds

I can't think of a preschooler, girl or boy, that is not fascinated by slimy and scaly creatures. What a great way to work in an educational and fun lesson plan all about crocodiles, alligators, snakes and turtles.

Books:

1. Reptiles and Amphibians
2. The Very Greedy Python

Song:
Teasing Mr. Crocodile
Five little monkeys
(5 fingers held over other arm (4 for next verse, etc))
Sitting in a tree
Teasing Mr. Crocodile,
(teasing faces, hands up to face like moose antlers or one hand in front of nose)
"You can't catch me."
Along came Mr. Crocodile,
(finger up to mouth like SHHHH)
Quiet as can be
SNAP
(Both hands clap together like a crocodile's mouth)

Four little monkeys
Sitting in a tree
Teasing Mr. Crocodile,
"You can't catch me."
Along came Mr. Crocodile,
Quiet as can be
SNAP

Three little monkeys
Sitting in a tree
Teasing Mr. Crocodile,
"You can't catch me."
Along came Mr. Crocodile,
Quiet as can be
SNAP

Two little monkeys
Sitting in a tree
Teasing Mr. Crocodile,
"You can't catch me."
Along came Mr. Crocodile,
Quiet as can be
SNAP

One little monkey
Sitting in a tree
Teasing Mr. Crocodile,
"You can't catch me."
Along came Mr. Crocodile,
Quiet as can be
SNAP

No more little monkeys
Sitting in a tree.


Math & Science:

1. Snake Shapes worksheet: Twist 2 pipe cleaners together to make a snake. Use the snake to make the shapes on the worksheet. www.daniellesplace.com/imagesABC/kingsnakeshapes.gif

2. Count to 18 Turtle worksheet:

Turtle 18 Worksheet (1)

Crafts:
1. Squishy Snake Painting: Purchase a bag of stretchy (squishy snakes as my children call them) at your local Wal-Mart or Dollar Tree. Put washable paint on a plate in front of each child & hand them 3 snakes each. Children can put the snakes in the paint & use them to make an imprint on the paper. You could do this as a group mural, on a large piece of paper, or as individual projects.
2. Alligator Puppet: Print out an alligators/crocodile image on construction paper or white printer paper. Have the children color the alligators if it is printed on white paper. Glue the head to the top of the paper bag and glue the mouth to the bottom part of the paper bag, under the flap. Place your hand inside the bag and curve your fingers over the fold to move the puppet.

Alligator Puppet Template

3. Lizard Bracelet: Print out lizards on construction paper or printer paper. Cut the lizard shape out. Let the children color it. Wrap the lizard around the child's wrist tape the tail to the head.

Lizard Bracelet Template