Leo Lionni writes many engaging children's stories and would make a good subject for a classroom author study. Review other Lionni classics, such as "Swimmy" and "Pezzettino," to demonstrate the style and themes carried out in his literature. The students can try to make their own Leo Lionni-themed story that teaches personal values through animal characters, and draw illustrations for it, then you can write out text for their drawings and staple it into a book.
In the story "A Color of His Own," a chameleon struggles with the idea that he changes color and cannot identify with other animals. At the end, a fellow chameleon helps him by suggesting they stay together and reflect the same colors. After reading the story, preschool children should discuss the ways they may feel different and learn to celebrate those differences. They can also review the importance of friendship by making a list of what friends do for each other.
Use the art center to let children explore color and gain an awareness of how chameleons camouflage their skin to blend into various surroundings. The children can color and cut out chameleons in various colors and glue them to a background that matches their color. Children also can cut out chameleon shapes on heat-sensitive paper and watch the colors react to the warmth of their hands.
Adopt a chameleon as a classroom pet and keep it in the science center. Keep paper and markers in the center, and encourage the children to document the chameleon changing with its environment. For math development, use red, blue, yellow and green paper to cut out many small chameleon shapes and keep them in the math center for a sorting activity.
Just as the two chameleons in the story partnered up, preschool children can get into pairs for a music and movement activity. They can jump, stomp and spin together while listening to silly songs in the classroom. You can pair students up on the playground for a three-legged race. The children will learn the value of working together and helping each other while working toward a common goal.