January is the perfect time to learn about penguins! We use our Penguins Research Project to research and write about penguins and become PENGUIN EXPERTS!
Our Penguin research project includes everything you need to implement this research project in your classroom (virtual or in-person): labels for graphic organizers, recording pages/writing pages to make student research journals, and math and literacy centers!
Penguins Research
We start off every TKS research project with our schema map. As we learn about penguins, we add new learning to our schema map and address misconceptions as the research project goes on.
The way we do our research is through our read-alouds and videos. As we’re reading, we add information to our graphic organizers. The information is added DURING the read aloud and not after.
The students use graphic organizers to help them with their writing in their research journals. Students are encouraged to write on their own but the graphic organizers provide support and scaffolding as needed.
We use a variety of graphic organizers throughout the research project including true/false sorts, labeling, and more! These various anchor charts help us push our students to higher-order thinking and critical thinking!
Penguin Art Projects
We also do a lot of fun penguin art projects. You have to have art with your research projects because it’s what’s right for kids and it’s fun! Art projects and crafts in the classroom provide students opportunities to build language, follow directions/sequencing, work on fine motor skills, and more!
Paper plate penguins! These are made with 2 paper plates. The head is the center of a plate. The ring that is cut off is cut in half to make the wings. We then use the extra pieces to make feet. BAM!
We also made these adorable symmetrical penguins. These were so easy. Fold a large sheet of white construction paper in half long way. Add black paint to one side. Less is more. I made a shape like a three. Then added a little squirt of orange where the feet are.
Close the paper and rub.
When it dries, add eyes and a beak!
This was a simple penguin project. After making our penguins with construction paper, we used handprints for the feet! Anytime you can make hand/feet art, it’s a must do!
Penguin Snacks
You need crackers, cream cheese, olives, and carrots.
Cover the cracker with cream cheese. Slice olives for the head. Cut the slices in half for the wings. Cut a carrot triangle for the beak.
Here is another fun and easy snack idea for your penguins unit!
This snack is a mini ice cream sandwich for the body, one Oreo for the belly, one Oreo (split in half) for the wings, candy orange slices for the feet, jelly bean for the nose, and candy eys!
Of course, we have to have a hat.
And a costume.
And no penguin research can be complete without Jack Hartmann’s Penguin Dance!
Reading Comprehension With Penguins
We also include narrative stories with penguins as part of our penguin picnic! Our favorite penguin story is And Tango Makes Three! And since this is a true story, it makes a great lesson on family/diversity/tolerance!
Penguins Freebies
You might also be interested in our Arctic Animals Research Project:
For more information, check out these posts:
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2 comments
I love the penguin painting! My polar animal unit is next week and I am definitely going to try and squeeze this one in! Thanks for sharing! =)
Sara
Teaching Munchkins
Awwwww it is all so precious. I love the Penguin outfit. I am extending my Penguin studies and totally stealing your ideas. #TeacherTheif
Mels
Ms. K/1 ELL
A Teacher's Plan