Penguins

Our class has been studying Penguins this month! We have had an absolute blast! I started out by introducing the Schema File Folder originally inspired by the fabulous Debbie Miller in her book Teaching with Intentions (This is actually who I have named my blog after). We charted all of our schema about penguins. The kids actually know a lot of facts already! Then we read Penguins by Anne Schrieber together and I modeled how to record a "new learning"  on a sticky note. We added these to our mental file folder and our chart! All week long I let the kids buddy up and research penguins on their own! They have blown me away with how well they are staying on task and digging deep without me!




We also read Pierre the Penguin and have been watching the live penguin feedings at African Hall everyday at 1:30 our time! The kids have loved this! It is an excellent resource too because the biologist talks about the penguins as she is feeding them! Click here for the link-> http://www.calacademy.org/webcams/penguins/

In our classroom we have 6 different life size penguins on our wall of Antarctica. Mrs. Davidson came in last week to measure the kids and see how tall they are compared to the largest of the penguins...the Emperor penguin! Most of the kiddos are about the same size!

 

 

We learned that the Emperor penguin is about the same size as a 7 year old child...yup!

 

 

Here is our class in Antarctica!

 

Stay tuned for more penguin activities!!