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Academic Standards

 

Learning Objective:

Children will follow the rescue of an emperor penguin and understand what penguins need to survive.

 

Science Focus:

penguins, habitats

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a diagram

 

Vocabulary:

wildlife experts, released

 

CCSS:

RI.1.1 ask and answer questions; RI.1.4 determine meaning of words; RI.1.5 text features; RI.1.10 read informational texts; RF.1.2 vowels; W.1.2 writing; SL.1.1 participate in collaborative conversations; L.1.2 punctuation

 

Download TEKS Standards
Download CCSS Standards

Watch the video

Build background knowledge by watching “World of Penguins.” When you’re done, ask students: What is one thing you learned about penguins?

Preview new vocabulary words

Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce this issue’s featured words.

Set a purpose for reading

  • Have students do a picture walk through the issue. Then read and discuss the cover. Where do students think the penguin ended up? How does the cover photo look different from the photo on page 2?
  • Before turning to page 2, say, “As we read the article, think about how people helped Gus go back home.”
  • Read the article, stopping at the end of each section to check for comprehension.
  • As a class, make and fill out a graphic organizer to track Gus’s journey. First, where was Gus found? Next, who helped him? Then, what did Gus need? Last, where did Gus go?
  • Complete the page 4 activity as a group or individually.
  • When you’re done, do the Dance Break!

Deepen students’ learning with any of these supplemental activities:

Play the online game: Penguin Punctuation

(skill: punctuation)

Complete a hands-on activity: Penguin Parade!

Kids create a penguin craft, complete with a penguin fact, and have a parade to show off their penguin knowledge! (skills: fine-motor, writing)

Read a paired text: Blown Away by Rob Biddulph

Students will enjoy Blown Away by Rob Biddulph, a rhyming tale about a penguin and his friends who get carried far away by a kite but have a clever solution to get back to their icy home.