Penguin Student Page

Introduction

This unit is designed for grades 1-3 and contains activities that focus on penguins' habitats
and adaptations. One of the goals of the unit is to provide students a fun opportunity to
improve their writing skills. At the completion of this unit, students will be able to
compare and classify specific penguin habitats, write an original story and present it to
their class.

Content Area and Grade Level

This unit had been designed for grades 1-3 and involves science and language arts.
During this unit all students will:

• recognize penguins by specific physical characteristics
• observe penguin behavior
• list five basic penguin behaviors (walk, sleep, swim, eat & care for young)
• learn about predators and prey

 

Implementation Overview

Students will learn about specific penguins' habitats and adaptations and then create an original penguin story to present to their peers. All Internet links to the unit are included in this lesson. The links provide information, experts, and activities relevant to the tasks. These sites will answer questions about penguins, list books for young readers, and take you on a virtual tour. The teacher guides the students through the lessons, acting as a facilitator rather than the expert. Students can work alone or in groups to complete the tasks. The students will create an original story based on their new penguin knowledge and present it to their peers or parents.

Resources Needed

To implement this lesson you will need:

• Computer with Internet access
• printer

   

Suggested Reading:

For Students:

• Austen, E. Birds That Stopped Flying
• Atwater, Richard and Florence. Mr. Popper's Penguins
• Bonner, S. A Penguin Year
• Crow, S. L. Penguins and Polar Bears
• Johnson, S. Penguins
• Fletcher, Neil. Penguins: See How They Grow
• Lester, Helen. Tacky The Penguin
• Penny, R. The Penguins are Coming
• Somme, L & Kalas, S. The Penguin Family
• Strange, I.J. Penguin World

Entry Level Skills and Knowledge

Students will need to:

• have at least a 1st grade level reading ability and language fluency
• be familiar with beginning word processing and computer use

 

Evaluation

The students will be evaluated by a 5 point rubric. The students will be discuss and
develop a 5 point rubric and then evaluate each other's performance using the rubric.
 

Conclusion

At the end of this unit your students will gain a greater understanding about penguins and improve their computer technology skills as well.

Penguin Student Page

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