Animal Bookmark
There are over 350 species of turtle (order Testudines) living on land in all continents (except Antarctica) and in both salt water and fresh water. Who knew there were so many! With so many different turtles, there are a few ways scientists organize them to make it easier to tell them apart, therefore turtles can be split into three main categories: tortoises, freshwater turtles or terrapins, and sea turtles.
Tortoises live on land and are typically herbivorous. They have feet with nails at the end and a domed carapace (top part of shell). Freshwater turtles spend time in both water and on land and typically have a flatter, more hydrodynamic shell. They also have feet that end in webbed toes to help with swimming. Sea turtles spend their entire lives in water, except when the females come onto the beach to lay eggs. They also have a fairly flat carapace and have flippers instead of legs. Next time someone tells you that tortoises aren’t turtles you can spread some knowledge!
Now that you know all about turtles, let’s make a new turtle bookmark. Be sure to pick out your favorite animal book to learn more fun animal facts, and you can use the bookmark you’re about to make to mark your place as you read.
Materials: green construction paper, scissors, pencil, glue, googly eyes, markers
Directions:
- If you are using square paper, such as scrapbook paper, you can skip this step. Otherwise begin by folding the top corner of the construction paper down towards the opposite corner, until the sides are lined up. Cut off the excess strip of paper.
- With your square paper (or the paper you made square in step one with it still folded in half as a triangle), fold the top layer of the peak down. The point should reach the base of the triangle at the folded seam.
- Fold both the right and left points of the triangle up to meet up with the top point. Then fold each point down, tucking it behind the middle flap.
- Next, use scissors to round the top and bottom of your bookmark. Use markers to decorate the top shell (thicker side) of the turtle.
- Cut two flippers and a head out of green paper.
- Glue the flippers and head onto the turtle. Add googly eyes, and give your turtle a smile, it’s all done!
Place your turtle on the corner of the page of whatever book you are reading to hold your place!