You guys. I now know A LOT about penguins.
I spent the entire winter break researching and creating a HUGE printable resource packet jam-packed with standards-based Penguin Activities for all subject areas.
And now if I ever find myself in front of Alex Trebek I’m hoping the final Jeopardy category is “Birds from the Southern Hemisphere” because I could answer anything.
I have to say the time invested was worth it because the kids have really been motivated learners throughout this unit and it has been great to see them applying their reading and writing strategies in a manner that truly excites them.
Penguin Units are plentiful in classrooms across the country at this time of year, but usually those classrooms fall into the primary category. I’m so proud of this packet because it takes all the fun of those cute black and white little waddlers and kicks it up a few notches with content for bigger kids.
Below are a collection of images that will allow you to peak into my classroom and into the printable packet of materials I used for my 2+ week interdisciplinary penguin unit.
I also created another popular resource focused on penguins. The penguins close reading print and go packet makes it easy to practice close reading skills and complements any penguin unit.
FROM ANOTHER BLOG POST I WROTE ABOUT PENGUINS
Click on any of the covers below to read summaries, reviews or order the books.
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Related Resources:
{Click on each image for more details}
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Penguin Crafts for Kids – These would look great on a bulletin board to complement the resources above.
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Check out the Clutter-Free Classroom Pinterest Boards for lots more penguin ideas.
Kids LOVE Penguins! This 100+ page penguin-themed packet has enough quality printables to last for over 2 full weeks of instruction. There are activities for reading, writing, math, social studies, science, and social skills. The packet also includes a list of fiction and non-fiction penguin themed books as well as links to online videos and sample penguin crafts.
Everything has been done for you. All you need to do is add literature (I used my local library to gather over 50 books and printed individual student books free using a trial membership on the Reading A to Z website).
I designed the packet to be used with my 3rd graders, but there are enough differentiated materials that it would be appropriate for use in grades 2-5 as well as for homeschoolers. The packet lists Common Core alignment for 2nd grade, 3rd grade and 4th grade.
As a 3rd grade teacher it isn’t always easy to find fun thematic activities, lessons, printables and resources that meet the rigor and expectations of the higher grades.
- This resource will promote student engagement because of the high-interest topic.
- It guides them through the writing process.
- It is differentiated so all of your students will feel successful.
- It facilities a fun learning experience for students in the month of January.
- If your school district uses formal curriculum programs with fidelity, it gives students a break from the similar structured resources.
- There are 100+ pages of resources so it lessens the burden of planning.
- It is not holiday specific. All students can connect and enjoy this activity.
- It gives students extra practice with important skills.
- This resource provides you with a no-prep collection of engaging activities, resources, and printables.
- Many of the resources require no prep.
- Your students will be highly engaged.
You have the flexibility to implement the full unit or choose parts of the unit depending on your goals.
Check out these testimonials from teachers who’ve used it in their classrooms…
Jodi is amazing!!! I have loved everything I have of hers. She has totally changed my writing and thematic unit style instruction. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!
– Rebecca P.
My kids really enjoyed the activities that we did in this packet. I loved the research paper. The graphic organizer and the writing component made it really easy for my Second Graders to write a research paper about penguins. Thank you!
– Amanda R.
We had a blast with this experiment. My students this year are still talking about it and have asked if we can do it again!
– This Key Opens the Door
LOVED this resource! We used this as a Project-Based Learning unit in afterschool, and it was great for all grade levels (3rd-5th). My students especially loved the Blubber Experiment 🙂
– Emily S.
This unit has been great for my classroom! I teach students with multiple disabilities in middle school, so finding a research unit made for the upper elementary grades was perfect, and I love that it didn’t look too “childish” for my kiddos!
– Spedtacular Adventures
You can read more great feedback from teachers just like you here!
- INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITIES
- Activator: Penguin Package Printables
- Penguin Diagrams
- Schema Chart Printables
- K-W-L Chart
- READING
- Can / Have / Are Printables (interactive reading)
- Leveled Reading Passages
- Close Reading Written Response Sheets
- Venn Diagram Whole Class Chart Printables
- Non-Fiction Penguin Thinkmark
- Mr. Popper’s Penguins Fiction Thinkmark
- WRITING
- Emperor Penguin Research Project Printables:
- Cover Sheet
- Two-Column Notes
- Criteria for Success Scoring Sheet
- Draft Paper
- Final Copy Paper
- Report Cover Sheet for Illustrating/Adding Title
- Table of Contents Page for Student Report
- Glossary Template
- WORD STUDY
- Making Words Emperor Penguin
- Penguin Verbs (past tense)
- Penguin Nouns (plurals)
- Penguin Parts of Speech
- Penguin Dictionary Skills
- Penguin Collective Nouns
- Alphabetizing Penguin Species
- MATH GAMES
- MULTIPLICATION VERSIONS
- Direction Sheet Printables
- ORCA
- Penguin Bump
- Polar Opposites
- Go Fish!
- Antarctic Freeze
- ADDITION VERSIONS
- Direction Sheet Printables
- ORCA
- Penguin Bump
- Polar Opposites
- Go Fish!
- Antarctic Freeze
- SCIENCE
- Blubber Glove (Understanding How Penguins Stay Warm)
- Penguin Feathers (Understanding How Penguins Stay Dry)
- SOCIAL STUDIES
- All About Antarctica
- SOCIAL SKILLS
- Writing Activity and Penguin Craft to Use with the books, It’s Okay to be Different by Todd Parr and/or Pink! by Lynne Rickard.
- CRAFTS
- Samples of Penguin Themed Crafts
- RESOURCES
- Online Video Links to Stream
- Fiction Books
- Non-Fiction Books
