the mixed up chameleon

Title: The mixed- up chameleon
Author: Eric Carle
About the author:
 Eric Carle (born June 25, 1929) is a children's book author and illustrator, most famous for his book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which has been translated into over 30 languages. Since The Very Hungry Caterpillar was published in 1969, Eric Carle has illustrated more than seventy books, many best sellers, most of which he also wrote, and more than 71 million copies of his books have sold around the world.
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3362.Eric_Carle 

grades: pre-k - 4

Summary: The chameleon's life was not very exciting until the day it discovered it could change not only its color but its shape and size, too. When it saw the wonderful animals in the zoo, it immediately wanted to be like them -- and ended up like"all" of them at once.

My reaction: A great way to teach children about the importance of being an individual.  The illustrations jump off the page and grabs the readers attention. It can connect a science lesson to literacy when discussing animals and body parts.

Lesson idea:
 After reading The Mixed Up Chameleon. Go around  in  a circle and each child will make their statement, “I'm as _____ as a ______.” Write each sentence on a 12 x 18 inch piece of manilla paper. The students will then draw pictures to go with their statements. In the end, you will have a great class book.