Subsequent to our visit to the Shedd Aquarium and our adventures learning about ocean life, our first graders decided they wanted to learn more about penguins; so, we bundled up into our Antarctic "cold weather gear" and trekked on down to the south pole to see what we could learn about our flightless, feathered friends. Thanks to Mr. Anding (who actually did fly an Air Force mission to Antarctica), we were nice and warm.
Each first grader chose a penguin (there are 17 varieties) on which he/she would like to learn more about. Each first grader then partnered-up with another "like penguin" classmate with which to work. Consequently, the "Partner Penguin Project" came to life.
Resources were provided via
classroom lessons and materials, classroom books and teacher-guided internet resources (see our "
"
web page) for each penguin team
to gather the information they needed on their specific penguin. With
their penguin question template in hand, they were off on their fact-finding
missions!
Upon completing the research phase of our penguin project, our teams used "Kidspiration" on the laptop computers to create their "Partner Penguin Project" reports.
Each team created a "Penguin Facts" web report - BY THEMSELVES. These first graders exceeded the project expectations. Below are expectations for this project.
work with their partner
type a minimum of six facts about penguins; some facts specific to their penguin;
type facts in complete sentences;
use five-star writing framework (capitalizaton, spacing, spelling, handwriting, punctuation);
Using Kidspiration to make their report
open, run, save, print, and exit "Kidspiration"
create a penguin model
Each first grader made a model of their penguin AND turned our classroom into "the lands of penguins (Antarctica, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and South America) to simulate each represented penguin's habitat.
Each partner team discussed and decided what trait(s) each of their penguin
models would portray (adult or chick, standing, sliding on
its tummy, swimming, "popping", etc.) since our Antarctica would be complete with glaciers and
water!
The final phase of our project was to present our completed project
reports and models in our "Partner Penguin Project Preview" held
for family and
friends.
.
updated: August 04, 2008
webmaster: nancy anding