Text Set 4: Penguins!

Mr. Poppers Penguins By Richard and Florence Atwater

Ages 7-9

            Mr. Popper’s Penguins is the classic story about a man who adopts several pet penguins and keeps them in his basement. Although this story is a fictional comedy, things like the penguin’s habitats and behaviors are mentioned. I would use this book as a read aloud to the whole class.

March of the Penguins

All Ages

            March of the Penguins is a documentary film about a group of Emperor Penguins journey to find their mates. I think this movie would provide students with a significant amount of background knowledge about penguins and their habits.

Tacky the Penguin By Helen Lester

Ages 4-8

            This is a fun fictional story about a penguin, Tacky. Students will enjoy this book and it lends its self well to building vocabulary and exploring adjectives while following the theme of penguins. 

Cinderella Penguin, or, The Little Glass Flipper By Janet Perlman

Ages 4-9

            Everybody loves a good fractured fairy tale! This story is a spin on the timeless classic, Cinderella. Although this is another simple, fun, and fictional text, I think it could serve as a mentor text for students to create their own fractured fairy tales. Students could also incorporate what they have learned about penguins into their story.

Penguins of the World By Wayne Lynch

Ages 8-12

            This beautifully photographed nonfiction book explores all 17 types of penguins. I would share this book with students in a small group setting. I think it is important to address that “penguin” is a general term and that there are many different types.

National Geographic Kids: Penguins!  By Anne Schreiber

Ages 5-8

            This is a nonfiction text about the Emperor penguins that is written for a younger audience. The author of this book is a former elementary teacher and also wrote the science content for The Magic School Bus TV show.

Scholastic Discover More: Penguins By Penelope Arlon

Ages 7-9

            The Scholastic Discover More series is one of my favorite nonfiction series of books. Although this text is written for ages 7-9, I believe that younger students would enjoy and learn a lot by looking at the pictures. I would have students read or explore this book with a partner. They could share interesting facts they learn and perhaps help each other with some of the words.

Eve of the Emperor Penguin By Mary Pope Osborne

Ages 6-9

            This book is #40 in the popular Magic Tree House series. In this book, Jack and Annie travel to Antarctica to learn about happiness through penguins’ lives. This book also has a “Fact Track” companion that accompanies it. 

http://www.kidzone.ws/ANIMALS/penguins/index.htm

            This website seems to be mostly designed for teacher usage. Teachers can print out mini booklets, poems, coloring sheets, and many other resources that relate to penguins. There is also a section for interesting facts and vivid photos.

http://www.penguinworld.com/types/

Ages 9-13

            Although this website is designed for older students, the information in it seems accurate, is interesting, and all students could benefit from it. This website allows you to read about each type of penguin and contains awesome photos of each type. I would share the information and photos on this sight in a whole group setting.