Updated 3rd September 2020
What’s not to love …
- The smallest is just 15mm, the largest around 68cm
- Their tongues are 1.5 to 2x their body length and can shoot out and capture prey in less than a second.
- Their eyes can rotate 360ยบ and look in different directions at the same time.
- They can see in UV light.
- Males may have facial ornamentation to make them more attractive.
- And of course, they can change colour, although this is most often not as camouflage as commonly believed, but for communication (related to mood) or temperature regulation.
What do you call a group of chameleons?
Many animals have charming collective nouns, for example, a shiver of sharks or a romp of otters, but I wasn’t able to find one for chameleons. The closest is a lounge of lizards or a mess of iguanas. Here are my ideas:
The Mixed-Up Chameleon by Eric Carle
This charming picture book has had many a class giggling as the poor chameleon gets more and mixed-up as his wishes to be more like other animals come true.
As with the best children’s books, there is deeper learning beyond the funny story. I highly recommend reading this book module on using the story for exploring the philosophical dimensions of happiness, change and personal identity https://www.teachingchildrenphilosophy.org/BookModule/TheMixed-upChameleon
Teaching Resources
The possibilities for fun learning inspired by the Eric Carle story and these amazing creatures are endless! I’ve had so much fun creating tens of chameleons with different patterns.
The Content Chameleon
This is a mini story and quiz in presentation form; the chameleon, no longer mixed-up returns to the zoo and has fun trying out animal patterns. Children guess which animals he visited, then complete colouring sheets featuring the chameleon and patterns.
There are blank outlines for colouring, or tracing onto a plastic envelope for exploring pattern changing or hiding for a chameleon hunt.
You can download the resource from Tes: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/the-content-chameleon-quiz-and-activities-12168427
or TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Content-Chameleon-Quiz-and-Activites-5671604
Chameleon Camouflage
An interactive presentation where children choose which chameleon matches the picture (of jellybeans or Lego, for example), then drag it on top to make it disappear.
Both resources have a free presentation with fascinating facts about chameleons, links to videos and child-friendly websites to find out more.
Tes shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/chameleon-camouflage-interactive-12168422
TpT store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chameleon-Camouflage-Interactive-Presentation-5671657
The Crazy About Chameleons Bundle has The Content Chameleon, Chameleon Camouflage, Fascinating Facts presentation and a free maze.
Tes: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/crazy-about-chameleons-12171913
TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Crazy-About-Chameleons-Bundle-5671692
If you try the resources, I’d love to hear about it!
Please share your feedback and suggestions. Thanks,
fiona@teacherstellingtales.com