Exploring mixed-up chameleons with Eric Carle

Today is Eric Carle’s birthday and in honor of his birthday, a large group of bloggers have been putting together ideas that would go nicely with many of his books. I love so many of Eric Carle’s books that I had a hard time narrowing it down. But after much ado, I have narrowed down my choice to a sweet idea for “The Mixed-Up Chameleon”…

This book is about a chameleon who isn’t happy with himself and wants to be like everyone else. With each new animal he meets, he takes on features of that animal until in the end, he realizes he is much happier just being a chameleon…

What I like about this book is that it opens the door for talking with children about how we are different, how we are special, and how others are special too! I also like simply focusing on the changing chameleon. Chameleons are pretty fascinating creatures and the fact that they can change colors to adapt to their environment can lead to lots of fun color exploration….

Preparation

This little activity calls for the use of some type of clear paper  or film. I traced several of the chameleons that are found in the book onto transparency film which is used for an overhead projector. I traced both large and small chameleons on full and half sheets of the transparency film…

After tracing chameleons, you are all set for this activity!

Read the book

After reading and discussing the book with the children, show the children several of the traced chameleons…

Find the Chameleons

To play this game, place the traced chameleons on different objects throughout the environment (works indoors and outdoors)…

Choose places to set the chameleons where the color and patterns will be different…

As the children find the chameleons, talk with the children about how the chameleons adapt to their environment by changing color.

It isn’t necessary to “hide” the chameleons rather you just want to find different colors to blend the chameleons with…

Once the children have found all of the chameleons, you can then let them hold their own chameleon and walk around the room to find other places that will make their chameleon change colors…

More Colorful Chameleon fun…

To prepare for this activity, I used the same traced chameleons from above and I also cut up some colorful see-through plastic dividers like you use in notebooks or binders…

I am showing you this activity on a white table but it was originally suggested to me by one of my readers that these dividers would make excellent light table activities…

Set out the traced chameleons and the strips of colorful, cut-up dividers. Invite the children to change the colors of their chameleons by placing the strips of colorful dividers on the chameleons any way they wish…

So there you have it! Two fun ideas to keep little one’s engaged as you explore the book – “The Mixed-Up Chameleon” by Eric Carle…

Thank You to An Amazing Child for hosting this Birthday Extravaganza. See all the other ideas from my fellow bloggers in the Linky below…

Available on Amazon

 



If you are viewing this post from a reader or email, you will need to come to the blog to view all the wonderful ideas shared in the linky.

Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

Subscribe to My Newsletter

Latest Blog Posts

P is for Pizza!

While learning about the letter “P” we decided to explore with pizza! Pizza is an all-time favorite food for many preschoolers, and activities involving pizza

Read More »