It wasn’t until I was three-quarters of the way through creating my Reptiles Unit Study that I realized frogs are NOT classified as reptiles. I tell you, I am learning so much as I homeschool my children!
But that is not the only thing I have learned with this Reptiles Unit Study:
- Did you know that snakes don’t have eyelids or external ears, BUT they have something known as internal ears? Incredible!
- Did you know that sea turtles are the only species of turtle that cannot pull their head into their shell? Who knew?!
- Or that the Komodo Dragon weighs more than most dogs, weighing in on average at 150 lbs? Whaaaat?!
Well, you will know all this and so much more once you dive into learning all about Reptiles with this Family Unit Study! Perfect for the whole family to enjoy together, with modifications for ages from 5-12 years old.
Wondering if unit studies are right for your family? Grab a FREE sample pack and take a peek inside my Stars and Constellations Unit Study!! You can also see the entire collection of Unit Studies available in my shop right here.
Our Reptiles Unit Study, like all of our Unit Studies, takes one big topic “Reptiles” and breaks it down into 10 bite-sized subtopics.
Each bite-sized subtopic includes a hands-on activity, interesting facts, information to read, a Youtube video, and, of course, a book suggestion!
I recommend trying to get these books, or any books at all about reptiles, at the library. But I am also including my Amazon Referral Links here for your convenience.
Topics and Book Suggestions from my Reptiles Unit Study
Topic 1: What is a Reptile
Reptiles are a class of animals that have a vertebrae (a backbone), dry scaly skin, and usually lay soft-shelled eggs. Reptiles need to breathe air and are cold-blooded, which means they need to seek out warmth and heat from their environment. Let’s explore…
National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians – John Behler and F. Wayne King. This field guide has gorgeous photos and detailed descriptions of 657 reptiles and amphibians that might be in your very backyard!
Topic 2: Cold-Blooded
Reptiles are cold-blooded, which means they need to absorb warmth from the sun through their body. Let’s explore…
Learn to Draw Reptiles and Amphibians – Diana Fisher. This colorful book reveals a spectacular world of rare and exciting creatures with easy-to-follow illustrations for drawing 29 different species. And the book features fascinating facts about each subject–from iguanas and snakes to turtles and alligators–so kids can learn as they draw!
Topic 3: Scales or Scutes
Reptiles are different than other animals for several reasons, one of which is their dry tough skin. Most reptiles have very dry skin that is covered with scales or small bony plates. Let’s explore…
DK Eyewitness Books: Reptile – DK. Get up close and personal and be an eyewitness to all kinds of reptiles from the start of life inside an egg to hunting skills and survival techniques with DK Eyewitness Books: Reptile. See snake anatomy from the skeleton to scaly skin; learn about the gripping feet of a lizard; discover the variety of shells found on turtles and tortoises; and stand a safe distance from crocodile jaws.
Topic 4: Lay Eggs
Most reptiles lay soft eggs (the shells are not hard like bird eggs). Reptiles do not incubate—or sit on—their eggs, so they do not need to be strong enough to withstand the mother’s weight. Let’s explore…
Miles and Miles of Reptiles: All about Reptiles (The Cat in the Hat) – Tish Rabe. The Cat in the Hat travels the globe—in his trusty crocodile car—to explore the world of reptiles: lizards, snakes, turtles, and crocodilians. Along the way, young readers learn the characteristics shared by most reptiles; basic information about each group; quirky, fun facts about individual species; and much, much more. Cool creatures featured include komodo dragons, chameleons, geckos, cobras, leatherback turtles, frilled lizards—a virtual Who’s Who of the World’s Most Remarkable Reptiles. Young readers will slither in delight!
Topic 5: Lungs and Vertebrates
Two characteristics that make an animal a reptile are that they have lungs and are vertebrates. Reptiles have lungs and breath air, which differentiates them from fish and animals with gills. Reptiles are also vertebrates, which means they have backbones. Animals other than reptiles also have lungs and are vertebrates, which is why these two features alone are not enough to classify an animal as a reptile. Let’s explore…
Ultimate Reptileopedia: The Most Complete Reptile Reference Ever – Christina Wilsdon. Welcome to the amazing world of the most popular reptiles on Earth. With colorful photographs and fun facts, this easy-to-use encyclopedia profiles snakes, lizards, amphibians, turtles and tortoises, crocodilians, and tuatara. Profiles are accompanied by Did You Know? details and fast facts including scientific name, size, diet, and habitat.
Topic 6: Turtles
A turtle’s shell is made up of bony plates called scutes. Each year, the turtle grows bigger scutes. Inside each scute, you can see growth rings, very similar to the rings found inside a tree. Count the rings and you can determine approximately how old a turtle is! Let’s explore…
National Geographic Readers: Turtles – Laura Marsh. Take a dip with turtles in this exciting reader. Packed with beautiful and engaging photos, kids will learn all about these fantastic reptiles. This level 1 reader is carefully leveled for an early independent reading or read aloud experience, perfect to encourage the scientists and explorers of tomorrow!
Topic 7: Lizards
There are about 6,000 species of lizards in the world, and they really do live all over the world! Lizards can be found on all continents except for Antarctica. They are a varied species, ranging from iguanas to geckos to monitors! Let’s explore…
National Geographic Readers: Lizards – Laura Marsh. From geckos to iguanas, komodo dragons to chameleons, lizards are about the most awesome animal around! They inhabit every continent except Antarctica. Some are lethal. Some change color. Some have suction cups on their feet. There is enough fascinating information about these animals to fill an entire library of readers! But we’ve taken the absolute coolest information about the coolest animal and compacted it in this fascinating level 2 reader, perfect for anyone who loves slippery, slimy, creepy, and crawly.
Topic 8: Snakes
While it might be tempting to think of snakes as having no bones, since they slither and slide so well, they actually have hundreds – even more than humans! Let’s explore…
Snake: The Essential Visual Guide – Chris Mattison. Snake is the essential guide to the world of serpents, featuring more than 3,000 species. With a clean fresh look, classifications, stunning photography, and amazing artworks, this is a must-have reference for all herpetologists. Packed with fascinating facts such as physical and behavioral characteristics, this guide also includes focused profiles of 60 snakes, from the Rainbow Boa to the Tropical Rattlesnake. Each profile includes a stunning full-page photograph of the snake, supporting images to highlight important features, and a ‘Fact File’ sidebar to give at-a-glance information.
Topic 9: Crocodiles
Alligators and crocodiles look very similar to one another, but they are in fact quite different and cannot interbreed. Let’s explore…
Alligators and Crocodiles – Gail Gibbons. Alligators and crocodiles are the world’s largest reptiles and the closest living relatives of dinosaurs. In this extremely interesting nonfiction picture book, Gibbons compares the two reptiles by giving facts about both–their physical differences, what they eat, where they are found, how fast they swim how they raise their young, and more.
Topic 10: Tuatara
Tuataras might look an awful lot like a lizard, but they are actually quite different which is why they are classified separately from lizards. Tuataras have no external ears (while lizards do), they prefer cool weather (while lizards like to bask in the heat), and they are nocturnal (while lizards spend their nights sleeping). Let’s explore…
Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The woman who loved reptiles – Patricia Valdez. Back in the days of long skirts and afternoon teas, young Joan Procter entertained the most unusual party guests: slithery and scaly ones, who turned over teacups and crawled past the crumpets…. While other girls played with dolls, Joan preferred the company of reptiles. She carried her favorite lizard with her everywhere–she even brought a crocodile to school!
Thank you so much for reading!
xo
Sarah
P.S. Grab a sample pack and take a peek inside three of my Unit Studies! You can also see the entire collection of Unit Studies available in my shop right here.
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