A Bale of Turtles

Since spring is around the corner what a great time to check out the habits of turtles and learn how to make a bale of turtles.

bale of turtles

Here are some turtle facts:

  • Turtles are reptiles which means they are vertebrate animals of a class that includes snakes, lizards, crocodiles, turtles, and tortoises. They are distinguished by having a dry scaly skin and typically laying soft-shelled eggs on land.
  • Their upper shell are called carapaces.
  • Their lower shells are called plastrons.
  • Many (but not all) can hide their heads when they need protection.
  • Turtles are cold blooded which means they cannot control their body temperature and therefore become sluggish in cold weather. Have you seen turtles sunning themselves? 
  • The largest turtle is the leatherback and can weight over 2000 lbs (900 kg).

More information and craft and research ideas are found in Tadeo Turtle.

A simple project but fun to do. You can make a school of turtles, which I found out is called a “bale of turtles”. This week we look at how to make a simple egg carton Tadeo turtle.

bale of turtles

Supplies:

  • Egg Carton (either styrofoam or cardboard)
  • Googly Eyes (not necessary but fun)
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • Paper (construction, coloured paper, card stock)

Instructions for a Bale of Turtles:

1. Cut out each egg pocket from the case of eggs.

bale of turtles
Use styrofoam egg cartons or cardboard

2. From the paper, cut out 2 round circles (use a bottle for tracing) to match the pocket; cut out 1 head, 1 tail and 4 legs.

bale of turtles

3.  Glue the inner edges of the appendages (head, tail and 4 legs) inside the two rounded circles. They are stuck inside the circle.

4. Colour the shell using paint or markers.

5. Glue the shell to the circled paper

6. Put the googly eyes on the header and using a marker, mark the toes on each foot.

bale of turtles

Bottle Cap Tadeo Turtles:

Smaller Turtles can be made from water bottle caps. Or any cap will do. Using the same method as above. I found that to get the watercolour paint to adhere to the plastic cap I needed to paint the cap with glue first (or Podge).

bale of turtles
All you need is a bottle cap and paper, scissors, glue, markers or paint.

 

bale of turtles

 

 Connect With Janis

bale of turtles

In 2001, Janis gave her life to Christ. She started journaling as a way to organize her thoughts, feelings, and prayers. She is a member of two cross-Canadian Christian writers’ groups, The Word Guild and Inscribe Christian Writers Fellowship.

In 2012 she published an award-winning children’s book, Tadeo TurtleHer new book, The Kingdom of Thrim, was published in June 2016.

She podcasts on Hope Stream Radio, an Internet radio station. Her talk Growing Through God’s Word can be heard each Tuesday.

Janis loves to tell others about what God has done and is doing in her life.

Janis can be reached on her website, Growing Through God’s Word and on FacebookPinterest and Twitter.

Please join her at Word of God Speak Facebook Group to learn more about memorizing Scripture through art.

Check out the bookstore:

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Please click to get 2 Free Ebooks, Living Life – One Word at a Time and Five Ways God Changed Me.

bale of turtles

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11 comments

  1. I honestly didn’t know what lower and upper shells were called until I read this. Geez. So much missed in academics. Haha.

    Great post. And art!

  2. I didn’t know the term bale. Thanks for continuing to share your cute art ideas. This one has a lot of fine motor components; I plan to try this.

  3. Janis, this little turtle is adorable! I love the way these little pets fit into the palm of a child’s hand. My grandkids were so proud of the ones they made. I like the recycle aspect of what we both did too – walnuts and egg cartons! Congratulations on your book too!

    1. Susie,
      I will be back next week with more ideas. Taking this break has been wonderful. Actually it has given me time to connect with others.
      Blessings,
      Janis

I love to connect with you.

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