by
The month of January is all about
penguins.
We are learning about penguins in all our subject areas.
Non-fiction Reading and Writing:
To begin our research about penguins, we started the month discussing the difference between fiction and non-fiction reading. We learned that many times readers read fiction for enjoyment and usually read a piece of fiction from the beginning to the end. When readers read non-fiction they are usually reading to learn information. There are many features in non-fiction texts that give readers different types of information and there are guides to help readers find the information they are seeking. Non-fiction text may have a table of contents, glossary, index, maps, photographs, captions, cut outs, graphs and more. We discussed how these features can help readers. We also learned that a book or article can be non-fiction and not contain any of these features. As long as the book or article is giving real facts it is non-fiction. We have read several books and magazine articles about penguins as well as watched several videos on the subject.
After reading the book,
Watching Penguins in Antarctica by Louise and Richard Spilsbury, the children acted out how the males and females leave the ocean and go to the rookery to lay their eggs. Some of the children were the female penguins who pass the egg to the males to keep incubated as the females return to sea. The other children acted out the role of the male penguins as they huddled together to keep their egg warm and survive the harsh Antarctic winter. When the females return with their bellies full with food for the chick, the males go to the sea to eat and bring back food. Here is a video clip of the children acting this out.
Once the children acted it out, they wrote a book about how Emperor Penguins have their chicks and take care of them.
Math and Measurement: This Friday we started a new unit on measurement. We will be learning the correct way to measure things by using a consistent unit and not overlapping or leaving spaces between the units. We will begin by using non-standard units such as unifix cube, paper clips and our feet and hands. We will be comparing the heights of the different penguins and comparing the height of penguins to ourselves. We will be doing some graphing of penguins sizes as well.
Science: We are working on becoming expert penguin zoologists. We will be reading all about penguins including the different kinds of penguins, the habitats, and how features of a penguins' bodies help them survive in their different habitats. We will also be focusing on how penguins nurture and protect their young.
Field Trip: To enhance our study of penguins, we will be going to the
New England Aquarium to take a class about penguin behaviors and to see penguins up close. The trip is
Friday, January 31st. Permission slips have been sent home. Parents must have a current CORI clearance in order to accompany us on the trip. Thanks to those who have already volunteered to chaperone. We can take up to 10 chaperones per class. Thank you to the PTO who partially funded the trip for us.
