
Reptiles
Levels 3 and 4

NZC Achievement Objectives

Te Mātauranga o Aotearoa
The Organism: Make detailed scientific classifications of some organisms.
Te Rauropi: Ka whakarōpū whāiti ā-pūtaiao i ētahi rauropi.

Learning Intentions

Integration Ideas
Learning Intentions are from the Ministry of Education
Integration ideas are from the Ministry of Education
Level 3
Investigate subgroups within large groups, using observed differences in external characteristics.
Students can investigate the special features of reptiles and describe how these are important for their survival.
Levels 3 and 4
Students can distinguish groups of both distantly and closely related reptiles by investigating how their external characteristics differ.
Level 4
Investigate and classify closely related living plants and animals according to easily observable features
Coming Soon!

Related Topics
Resources

New Zealand is an island nation surrounded by expansive oceans. It is fitting that we have a rich and diverse coastal fauna.
Level
1-4
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Canterbury's Marine & Coastal Animals
Environment Canterbury
New Zealand is an island nation surrounded by expansive oceans. It is fitting that we have a rich and diverse coastal fauna.

Did you know that you can make some unique New Zealand animals from cardboard? Reuse some old boxes at your house and give this activity a go!
Level
1-4
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Cardboard Native Animals!
Kiwi Conservation Club - Hakuturi Toa
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On a scorching hot day in 1989, near the small Central Otago town of St Bathans, a group of scientists were digging in the soil. What they would find would change our ideas about the animals that have lived in Aotearoa.
Level
3
Type
Book
Connected 2013 Level 3: ‘A New Zealand Crocodile?’
Ministry of Education NZ
On a scorching hot day in 1989, near the small Central Otago town of St Bathans, a group of scientists were digging in the soil. What they would find would change our ideas about the animals that have lived in Aotearoa.

This article describes the evolutionary development of life in Aotearoa New Zealand and addresses the question of why our flora and fauna are so distinct. It introduces and explains the concepts of evolution and adaptation and offers a brief overview of how the land itself changed over many millions of years.
Level
3
Type
Book
Connected 2020 Level 3: ‘Life in Aotearoa New Zealand’
Ministry of Education NZ
This article describes the evolutionary development of life in Aotearoa New Zealand and addresses the question of why our flora and fauna are so distinct. It introduces and explains the concepts of evolution and adaptation and offers a brief overview of how the land itself changed over many millions of years.

Have you got a little part of your garden where you could make a lizard friendly area to give them shelter and keep them safe?
Level
1-4
Type
Poster
Create a Lizard-Friendly Garden
Kiwi Conservation Club - Hakuturi Toa
Have you got a little part of your garden where you could make a lizard friendly area to give them shelter and keep them safe?

Although dinosaurs may not rule the planet anymore, they are still a fascinating topic to discuss and also offer plenty of opportunities for fun games and activities.
Level
1-4
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Activity
Dinosaurs
Science Kids
Although dinosaurs may not rule the planet anymore, they are still a fascinating topic to discuss and also offer plenty of opportunities for fun games and activities.

Twiggy the Pukeko dreams that one day she will live in a warm, dry house. She meets Tua, a tuatara who knows a thing or two about energy from the sun. They visit the Green Dream House and meet Greeny, the owner. Twiggy’s head is soon spinning with facts about insulation, double glazing, solar energy, passive solar design, and a long list of ways to be energy efficient.
Level
3-4
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Green Dream House
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Twiggy the Pukeko dreams that one day she will live in a warm, dry house. She meets Tua, a tuatara who knows a thing or two about energy from the sun. They visit the Green Dream House and meet Greeny, the owner. Twiggy’s head is soon spinning with facts about insulation, double glazing, solar energy, passive solar design, and a long list of ways to be energy efficient.

KCC has worked with some awesome NZ illustrators to bring you some easy-to-follow instructions on drawing some of our favourite NZ animals!
Level
1-4
Type
Art Activity
How to Draw series
Kiwi Conservation Club - Hakuturi Toa
KCC has worked with some awesome NZ illustrators to bring you some easy-to-follow instructions on drawing some of our favourite NZ animals!

Aotearoa is home to 110 named species of endemic lizards, yet we don’t hear about them nearly as much as our 170 species of endemic birds. Our endemic lizard species are divided into geckos and skinks (tuatara aren’t lizards). Let’s have some fun learning all about Aotearoa’s lizards and tuatara this week!
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1-4
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Unit
Lizards and Tuatara of Aotearoa
Kids Greening Taupō
Aotearoa is home to 110 named species of endemic lizards, yet we don’t hear about them nearly as much as our 170 species of endemic birds. Our endemic lizard species are divided into geckos and skinks (tuatara aren’t lizards). Let’s have some fun learning all about Aotearoa’s lizards and tuatara this week!

Make your own green gecko with this fun craft activity from Margaret Tolland, who illustrated the Go Green Gecko book.
Level
1-4
Type
Art Activity
Make a Green Gecko
Kiwi Conservation Club - Hakuturi Toa
Make your own green gecko with this fun craft activity from Margaret Tolland, who illustrated the Go Green Gecko book.

All mammals, animals like cats, dogs, squirrels and humans, are warm blooded. This means that our bodies make enough heat to keep our inside temperature the same all of the time. Fish, insects, snakes, and lizards are cold blooded. Their temperatures inside change with the temperature outside.
Level
1-4
Type
Experiment
Temperature Time Warp
Bill Nye The Science Guy
All mammals, animals like cats, dogs, squirrels and humans, are warm blooded. This means that our bodies make enough heat to keep our inside temperature the same all of the time. Fish, insects, snakes, and lizards are cold blooded. Their temperatures inside change with the temperature outside.

Investigate why the Sun is so important for tuatara and learn about the differences between ectotherms (‘cold-blooded’ animals) and endotherms (‘warm-blooded’ animals).
Level
3-4
Type
Lesson Plan
Tuatara and the Sun: Years 5-8
Genesis School-Gen
Investigate why the Sun is so important for tuatara and learn about the differences between ectotherms (‘cold-blooded’ animals) and endotherms (‘warm-blooded’ animals).

Bill Nye the Science Guy is bogged down with information about wetlands.
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-xrj01xi3E
Level
1-4
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Video
Wetlands
Bill Nye The Science Guy
Bill Nye the Science Guy is bogged down with information about wetlands.
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-xrj01xi3E