We punched a hole in top and tied yarn through the hole and hung in a window. Use a coffee filter turned upside down and glue on green and brown circles, or any shapes, for the shell. Then use cut out head, legs, and tail to glue on. I do a circle-shaped turtle every year. We cut a large white circle for the body and four smaller ones for the legs.
Children use different shades of green tissue paper and stick it on the paper with starch.
I reinforce several skills by focusing on the circle shape and the color green. Children can also see how the shades of green mix when they glue them on with the starch. Finally, I usually tie it into language arts by reading a favorite story book with the turtle as the main character. Have the parents bring a clothes hanger. Buy sponges and cut turtles out of them.