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Penguins Save As Favorite
Penguins Grade: Grade 4
Subject: English Language Arts
Created by: Aurora Baldovini
Lesson Length: 45 minutes
Keywords/Tags: Penguins, Aquatic Animal, Ocean
Lesson Description: In this lesson, we will learn about penguins and their characteristics. We’ll discover what makes penguins different from other birds, including their feathers and if they can fly. We’ll also explore where penguins live and how people catch them on video!
Common Core Standards Covered with This Lesson
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.1: Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.3: Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.4a: Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.4c: Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1b: Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2b: Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic.
 
     
     
 
Lesson Content: Reading
Instructions: Please read the following reading passage as many times as needed (aloud and silent) before starting to go through other lesson pages. Understanding the content of this passage is very important since the lesson activities will be all about this content. Feel free to print the passage if needed.

Penguins

The penguin is a bird, but it does not fly. Penguins are not like other birds.They are unique birds, and although they do have feathers, even their feathers are unusual. Other birds have rows of feathers that grow in a specific pattern. A penguin’s feathers grow all over, like hair on a mammal. You will not see penguins in the air, and you will not see them in trees. You will see them in the water, in fact you will see them below the surface of the water if you have an underwater video camera.

The penguin is an ocean bird, living in and near the ocean. The penguin spends much time in the ocean, so much of its life is unknown. People only get to know penguins well when they are on land, and the penguin can be at sea for months at a time.

While the penguin is not a great flier as the eagle is, the penguin can out-swim most birds and probably out-swims some other aquatic animals. The penguin has thick strong wings and flippers instead of feet that it uses to push through the water. When the penguin is on land, it walks along slowly, and this limited mobility may be one reason the penguin spends more time in the water. The penguin’s food source is in the water, the fish it catches. They have solid bones, while other birds have bones that are not solid.
 
     
     
 
Task 1: Vocabulary Activity (40 points)
Instructions: Please complete the following vocabulary activity by choosing the correct meaning of each word selected from the passage and use of each word correctly in a sentence.
Vocabulary Questions
Word/Phrase: Unique | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q1 The author of the story says, "Penguins are not like other birds. They are unique birds..." What does the word "unique" mean in this sentence?
A. Very common
B. One of a kind *
C. Just like others
D. Not important
Which of the following sentences uses the word "unique" correctly?
A. My dog is unique because he barks every morning.
B. I have a unique pencil that I use every day for homework.
C. The unique book was on the shelf with all the other books.
D. She is unique because she has the only purple bicycle in the entire school. *
Word/Phrase: Specific | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q2 The author in our story says, "Other birds have rows of feathers that grow in a specific pattern. A penguin’s feathers grow all over..." What does the word "specific" mean in this sentence?
A. Exact and clear *
B. Messy and all over the place
C. Done without thinking
D. Random and without a plan
Which one of the sentences below uses the word "specific" correctly?
A. I need a specific pencil, any one will do.
B. The cat likes to play with specific toys, so all of them.
C. She gave me specific directions to find the park. *
D. They took whatever snack was available because they wanted a specific snack.
Word/Phrase: Mammal | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q3 The author of this story says, "A penguin’s feathers grow all over, like hair on a mammal." What does the word "mammal" mean in this sentence?
A. A type of bird with feathers
B. An animal that lays eggs
C. An animal that has hair or fur *
D. A fish that swims in the ocean
Which one of the sentences below uses the word "mammal" correctly?
A. The butterfly is a mammal that flies from flower to flower.
B. A bear is a mammal that hibernates in the winter. *
C. The eagle is a mammal that builds its nest in tall trees.
D. Frogs are mammals that can jump really high.
Word/Phrase: Aquatic | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q4 The author of the story says, "...The penguin can out-swim most birds and probably out-swims some other aquatic animals..." What does the word "aquatic" mean in this sentence?
A. Animals that live in the desert
B. Animals that live in trees
C. Animals that live in the water *
D. Animals that live in cold places
Which one of the sentences below uses the word "aquatic" correctly?
A. The aquatic animal climbed the tallest tree in the forest.
B. The aquatic turtle swims in the pond all day. *
C. Aquatic plants grow in the desert where there is no water.
D. The aquatic bird flew high above the mountains.
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.4a, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.4c,
 
     
     
 
Task 2: Discussion Activity (25 points)
Instructions: This discussion forum will have questions for students to respond. Read the posted questions, and respond to each. Students are responsible for posting one initial and and two peer responses for each topic.
  Topic Title Replies
Message Although penguins have feathers, they're better ar swimming than they are at flying.
The author claims, "...in fact, you will see them below the surface of the water if you have an underwater video camera." Why might it be important for a penguin to be a great swimmer?
Sent on: Sep 17, 2024 by: Aurora Baldovini		 0
Message Using what you know about other types of birds, how are they different to penguins...
Based on what you read, what are some differences between penguins and other birds? How do you think these differences help penguins survive?
Sent on: Sep 17, 2024 by: Aurora Baldovini		 0
Message Penguins spend a lot of time in the ocean.
This passage states, "People only get to know penguins well when they are on land, and the penguin can be at sea for months at a time."What do you think life is like for a penguin underwater compared to on land?
Sent on: Sep 17, 2024 by: Aurora Baldovini		 0
Message The author of the story mentions that penguins eat fish from the water.
What do you think would happen if there were fewer fish in the ocean, and how might this affect penguins?
Sent on: Sep 17, 2024 by: Aurora Baldovini		 0
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2b,
 
     
     
 
Task 3: Writing Activity (35 points)
Instructions: Imagine you are a penguin. Describe a day in your life both when you are in the water and when you are on land. What do you do, and how do you feel in each place? You are to answer these questions and post a 400-word essay here. Make sure to provide specific examples from the passage. 
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1b, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2b,
 
     

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