Lesson Plan - Penguin Unit Study

For a short mini-lesson on penguins, our class participated in several activities that really assisted the students in locating where penguins live on a globe, describing the different kinds of penguins, separated by breed; and discuss the life cycle of penguins.

First, we read material regarding penguins from the dictionary. We then looked at a selection of pictures showing the different types of penguins: yellow-eyed penguin, fairy penguin, African penguin, king penguin, emperor penguin, macaroni penguin, etc. You can acquire pictures of these birds online, through encyclopedias, or through an educator book for K-3 from Seaworld Adventure Parks. We reviewed the continents, bodies of water, and then went exploring on our personal globe and maps to find where these animals live. After locating where they lived we discussed what kinds of animals these penguins lived based on the location/type of water they lived in. This is also a good time to bring up the poles of the Earth and review the continent names.

Because March of Penguins was such a popular documentary and most students had seen the film, we discussed how the emperor penguins are one of the few types of penguins that spend time in the Antarctic continent, and that most penguins live between the equator and Antarctica. If students have not viewed the movie, this would be an excellent time to view the film. You could also watch Happy Feet, which discusses the life cycle, penguin population, pollution, and penguin safety.

For older kids, they could use the penguins to put them in alphabetical order, or for younger kids, they can make a penguin mini-book.

Our class, after locating penguin habitats on the globe, made a miniature paper penguin out of black and white construction paper and googly eyes.

We also read a few books about penguins. Some of our favorites were: A Penguin Year, by Susan Bonners and Puffins Climb, Penguins Rhyme by Bruce McMillan.

The students after completing this short mini-lesson had a better understanding of how penguins live, how they breed and take care of their young, where they live, and to seek differences in the colors, height, and feathers of the penguins.