Sheltering Shells

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A unit on study of creatures with shells includes hands-on study, reading, and even crab races!

I have created an instructional unit about shells because so many of our students go to the beach on vacation. The students will learn about three different types of shells and the animals that live in them. This unit can go along with vertebrates/invertebrates during science. You can also branch out with different types of shells.

OBJECTIVE

Students will:

1. Learn about hermit crabs and their shells
2. Design a shell for a hermit crab
3. Write a short story about a day in the life of a hermit crab
4. Research snails with a walk around the room activity
5. Experiment and research how the snail moves and how fast it travels
6. Research a type of turtle and create an informative poster about it
7. Write a story about a time they "came out of their shell"
8. Complete a wordsearch

LESSONS FOR THIS UNIT
Lesson 1: Homes for Hermit Crabs
Lesson 2: Snazzy Snails
Lesson 3: Tremendous Turtles

REPRODUCIBLES
Handout for Hermit Crab (PDF)
Snail Research Information (PDF)
Snail Observation Handout (PDF)
Turtle Research Handout (PDF)

SUPPORTING BOOKS

Teaching About Shells Book List

Jill White, currently a first grade G&T teacher, has more than 10 years of experience working with classrooms with a wide range of ability levels.

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