Grade Levels: 3-5
Lesson by: Pat Hale

Subject areas: Science and Geography

Objective: Students will gain an awareness of the diverse habitats of the 17 species of penguins.

Standard: 4.4 Interdependence of Life
Changes in an organism's habitat are sometimes beneficial to it and sometimes harmful

Standard is from-- The Indiana Science Proficiency Guide

Time Requirement: 1 to 2 weeks

Items Needed:

1. Internet access & web browser
2. outline copy of a world map for each student
3. crayons or colored pencils
4. wall map of the world

Description of Activities:

1. To begin the unit of study of Penguins, you could read a book, poem, show a short video to spark discussion and interest in this topic. You could use a selection from the Resource Page.
   
   Suggested materials:
   • Cowcher, Helen. Antarctica,Milet Ltd.,New York, 1997.ISNB: 1840590009
     This is a bright and bold picture book that describes the lives of penguins and seals in the harsh environment of the Antarctica.
   • Gibbons, Gail. Penguins!, Holiday House; Chicago, 1998. ISBN: 0823413888
     This book is about the Emperor penguin. It offers true facts along with beautiful illustrations.
   • Nature: World of Penguins-Video-ASIN: 6305072485
   
   
   
2. After discussing and reading about penguins use the slide show with students to increase their general knowledge about penguins. Students could access the site individually, in small groups, or use the online Slide Show with the whole class.
3. When students have learned about penguins in general, they could start learning about the 17 different species of penguins. Using an outline map of the world that has been enlarged, have students read about and locate where each kind of penguin lives using Habitats of Penguins. Students should locate and label the locations of the penguins. This could be divided into several shorter assignments lasting a week. Students could study each kind of penguin on each of the continents by studying one continent per day. South America, Africa, Antarctica, sub-Antarctic Islands, New Zealand (including Australia). Each day students could locate where the penguins live. They would then complete their maps using symbols to show the locations of penguins.
4. Maps should be labeled with continents, oceans, the equator, directions, and any other selected information. Maps should be colored and include a map key

Assessment:

1. Before you begin this lesson, you could do an informal assessment with the students. Using a wall map of the world ask students if they know where penguins live. Record these answers. After the activities have been completed ask students where penguins live. Record these new responses. Compare these to the first responses.
2. Upon completion of this activity students could take the Online Quiz to test their ability to identify the different kinds of penguins. This could be printed out and copied for individual students to use, or it could be done online, with the score recorded for each student.
3. Each student could be given a blank map and they could locate where the different penguins live by labeling or putting a sticker in the locations and labeling it.
4. A "What Penguin Am I?" game could be played. Clues could be given and the student could write down the name of the penguin or the location were it lives. An example might be:
   

   I live on the southern coast of the continent that is sometimes called "Down Under". The beaches are warm and sandy. I make my nests in burrows. I am the smallest of all the penguins. What is my name and where do I live?

   
   This could be done for several of the penguins.