You guys. I now know A LOT about penguins. I spent the entire winter break researching and creating a HUGE printable resource packet. It is jam-packed with standards-based penguin activities for all subject areas. You are going to love this penguin unit! And now if I ever find myself on Jeopardy, I’m hoping the final category is “Birds from the Southern Hemisphere” because I could answer anything.
I have to say the time invested was worth it. The kids were engaged throughout this unit. It has been great to see them applying their reading and writing strategies in a way they enjoy.
Penguin units are plentiful in classrooms across the country in January. However, those classrooms usually 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, too.
Learn more about my two week interdisciplinary penguin unit below!
What is Included in this Penguin Unit?
This integrated penguin unit includes the following components:
Introductory Activities
This penguin unit includes several resources to help you kick off your unit. The following activities are included:
- Penguin package activator activity
- Penguin diagram
- Schema chart
- K-W-L chart
Reading Activities
The following penguin-themed reading activities are included:
- Can Have Are interactive reading printables
- Leveled reading passages
- Close reading written response sheets
- Venn diagram chart
- Non-fiction penguin Thinkmark
- Mr. Popper’s Penguins fiction Thinkmark
Writing Activities
The following emperor penguin research printables are included:
- Cover sheet
- Two-column notes
- Criteria for success scoring sheet
- Draft paper
- Final copy paper
- Report cover sheet
- Table of contents page for student report
- Glossary template
Word Study Activities
The following penguin-themed word study activities are included:
- Making words activity (Emperor Penguin)
- Penguin Verbs (past tense)
- Penguin Nouns (plurals)
- Parts of Speech Penguin Activity
- Penguin Dictionary Skills
- Penguin Collective Nouns
- Alphabetizing Penguin Species
Math Games
The following penguin-themed math games are included:
Multiplication
- Direction Sheet Printables
- ORCA
- Penguin Bump
- Polar Opposites
- Go Fish!
- Antarctic Freeze
Addition
- Direction Sheet Printables
- ORCA
- Penguin Bump
- Polar Opposites
- Go Fish!
- Antarctic Freeze
Science Activities
The following penguin-themed science activities are included:
- Blubber Glove (Understanding How Penguins Stay Warm)
- Penguin Feathers (Understanding How Penguins Stay Dry)
Social Studies Activities
The following penguin-themed social studies activities are included:
- All About Antarctica
Social Skills Activities
The following penguin-themed social skills activities are included:
- 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 are included.
Additional Teaching Resources
Additional teaching resources in the resource include:
- Online Video Links to Stream
- Fiction Books
- Non-Fiction Books
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What Grades is this Penguin Unit Appropriate For?
This integrated penguin unit includes differentiated materials so it can be used with second, third, fourth, and fifth grade students. There are different templates to choose from, which allows you to differentiate with ease.
Why do Teachers Love this Penguin Unit Resource?
This resource is a big hit among elementary teachers! They love this penguin packet because it…
- promotes student engagement because of the high-interest topic
- guides students through the writing process
- includes differentiated materials so you can meet the needs of all of your students
- facilities a fun learning experience for students in the month of January
- offers students a break from your formal curriculum program which often includes structured, predictable formats
- requires little prep
- is not holiday specific so all students can connect with and enjoy the lessons and activities
- provides students with practice opportunities for essential grade level concepts and skills
How to Use this Penguin Unit in your Classroom
You have the flexibility to implement the full unit or choose parts of the unit depending on your goals.
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, science, social skills, and more. The packet also includes a list of fiction and non-fiction penguin themed books, links to online videos, and sample penguin crafts. The crafts and videos are students” favorites!
Everything has been done for you. All you need to do is add literature. I used my local library to gather over 50 books. In addition, I printed individual student books free using a trial membership on the Reading A to Z website.
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Penguin Craft Ideas
Here are some penguin craft ideas that are perfect for elementary students:
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Additional Penguin Resources for Teachers
Below are some additional penguin resources you may find helpful.
Penguin Close Reading
These Penguin Reading Passages and Reading Comprehension Activities includes differentiated reading passages, comprehension questions, print and go activities and more. It serves as a perfect stand-alone activity for January or a complement to a unit on penguins. It also ties in well when teaching about animal adaptations, animal research, or polar regions. Learn more about this resource in our Clutter-Free Classroom Teacher Store!
Penguin Book Companions
These Penguin-Themed Book Companion Bundle includes 6 of our Starts With a Story resources: Flight School, Tacky the Penguin, Penguin Problems, Tacky and the Winter Games, Lost and Found, and And Tango Makes Three. Each of them includes printable and digital resources, so they can be used in school or at home. Learn more about this resource in our Clutter-Free Classroom Teacher Store!
Penguin Activity Packet
This Penguin Activity Packet is filled with fun and engaging activities students love! Some examples are a directed drawing writing activity, word search, and crossword puzzle! Use these printables as center activities, homework, fast finisher tasks, filler activities, or indoor recess activities. Learn more about this print-and-go resource in our Clutter-Free Classroom Teacher Store!
Animal Research Project
Use this Animal Research Project to study any animal with your students, including penguins! The graphic organizers, scaffolded guided notes, and scoring rubric make it easy for you to teach research writing to 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade or 5th grade students. Learn more about this resource in our Clutter-Free Classroom Teacher Store!
Penguin Reading Comprehension Activities
These Penguin Reading Comprehension Activities provide engaging, meaningful practice to greatly improve your 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th grade students’ reading and writing skills. Use these reading graphic organizers over and over and with ANY penguins book you choose. Learn more about this resource in our Clutter-Free Classroom Teacher Store!
Penguin Color by Code Activity
This Penguin-Themed Color by Code Activity is a fun and engaging task that invites students to practice identifying the parts of speech of thematic words like ocean, white, and insulate. It’s a quick print and go activity you can have printed on your desk whenever you have 15-20 minutes to fill. Learn more about this resource in our Clutter-Free Classroom Teacher Store!
Penguin Would You Rather Activities
These Penguin-Themed Would You Rather Activities are great for the cold winter months when you need a fun way to get students talking during your morning meeting or a way to motivate even your most reluctant writers. Learn more about this resource in our Clutter-Free Classroom Teacher Store!
