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Colorful Chameleons

Chameleons are fascinating lizards. Students will learn some interesting facts about them and design a fun drawing of one.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

Steps

  • Step 1

    Chameleons are arboreal (meaning tree-dwelling) lizards known for their ability to change color. Explain that a popular misconception is that they do this to blend in with the environment, when in fact their natural color helps them stay camouflaged. They change color as a way to regulate their body temperature and also to express their moods and communicate with other chameleons. Note some other interesting facts, such as that their tongue can extend to twice the length of their body, each eye moves independently, and most live in Madagascar, an island country off the coast of Africa.

  • Step 2

    Ask students to draw a chameleon using construction paper crayons on construction paper. They might choose to depict it in its neutral resting color (green or brown), or they might use vivid colors to indicate a different temperature or emotion.

  • Step 3

    Have students present their chameleon art. Ask them to talk about the colors they feel express different feelings or emotions. Let them know that everyone has different associations with colors. For example, one person might say blue indicates sadness, as in "I feel blue today," but others may think of blue as a very happy color because it reminds them of a clear blue sky or a swimming pool on a summer day.

Standards

SCI: Design pictorial or graphic representations/models that are useful in communicating ideas.

SEL: Self-Awareness: Understand one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts.

Adaptations

Have students explore and look at images of other species of tree-dwelling lizards, such as the frilled lizard found in Australia and Papua New guinea or the green anole, which commonly lives in the southern part of the United States.

Ask students to create portraits of themselves using colors that remind them of special moments in their lives (a favorite birthday or special memory). Then have them present their portraits and explain what the colors signify and why.