Count Us If You Can! Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will analyze the steps scientists had to take to count penguins in Antarctica.

 

Science Focus:

scientists, emperor penguins

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, writing, sequencing

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a map

 

Vocabulary:

emperor penguins, creative, satellite, guano

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.2 identify the main topic; RI.2.4 determine meanings of words; RI.2.5 use text features; RI.2.10 read informational texts; W.2.3 write narratives; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

 

Guided Reading Level: 

L

 

Lexile Level:

500L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on emperor penguins.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video “Across the Ice.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What is one thing penguin moms and dads do for their chicks?

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are emperor penguins, creative, satellite, and guano.

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue and discuss the cover. Ask students to predict how scientists were able to find penguins in Antarctica.
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on the cover: “Think about how scientists figured out where the penguins were.” Encourage children to think about this prompt as they read.

Read together (20 min.)

Pass out the Read and Think printable. Use it to check comprehension as you read the issue together, pausing to ask the questions. 

Assessment: Reading Quiz

Pass out the Reading Quiz to review key concepts from the issue and assess students’ proficiency on key nonfiction reading skills.

  • With the “Help the Chick Cuddle” game, students will help cute penguins get warm by identifying when to use a plural noun in a sentence.

You can use our printable worksheets to focus on important ELA skills. Here’s how.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work printable to deepen students’ understanding of the words emperor penguins, creative, satellite, and guano.

Editor’s Pick: Writing/Key Details (15 min.)

  • With the Journal of a Penguin Scientist skill sheet, students pretend to be penguin scientists and fill in the blanks with key details to compose a journal entry.

ELA Focus: Sequencing (15 min.)

  • The Penguin Count Sequencing skill sheet asks students to put in order the steps scientists followed to successfully count emperor penguins.

Here is a past issue you can use to extend your lesson on emperor penguins:

  • A Chick Grows Up, January 2019. This issue follows the life cycle of the emperor penguin.

You can find a higher-Lexile-level and a lower-Lexile-level version of the article online here:

  • Higher-Lexile level: 670L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 420L