Tilly the Turtle

The Animal That Had Everything… Except What It Needed A participatory story for 5-year-old Animal Researchers Before the story Prepare a small box with simple objects or pictures: a cup of water, leaves/grass, a small shelter made with sticks or a box, a stone, and a picture of sunlight. During the story, invite the children to choose or touch the object that helps the animal. The story One sunny morning, a little turtle named Tilly arrived in a new place. She looked around and smiled. “This place is beautiful!” she said. “I think I can live here.” Tilly walked and walked. Soon, she felt very thirsty. She saw some beautiful flowers and green leaves, but there was no water anywhere. Pause and ask: “What does Tilly need?” Children: “Water!” Tilly continued walking until she found a little pond. She drank some water. “Ahhh! Water helps me stay alive!” Then Tilly heard her tummy growl. She was hungry. She looked around. “What can I eat?” she wondered. Pause and ask: “What does Tilly need now?” Children: “Food!” Tilly found some fresh plants and began to eat. “Yum! I need food to have energy.” But suddenly, the wind became very strong. Tilly felt cold and a little scared. She needed a safe place to rest. She found a small space under some leaves and branches. “This is a good shelter,” she said. “I feel safe here.” Pause and ask: “What did Tilly need to feel safe?” Children: “Shelter!” Tilly looked at the pond, the plants and her little shelter. She thought for a moment. “I have learned something important,” she said. “Living things need different things to survive. I need water. I need food. I need a safe place to live.”

von CosmicPenguin36