Penguins

We finished up our two week study of penguins last Friday. We started our week by making a chart about what we already knew about penguins (our schema). After reading a non-fiction penguin book with tons of penguin facts, we went back to our chart and added our new learning from the book we read. We continued to add to the chart throughout the week as we kept learning new information. We also learned a new word, “misconception.” A misconception is when we think we know something, but it is actually not true. Some of our scheme ideas had to be moved to the misconception box. We ended this day by making an Oreo penguin. And of course we ate them!!

  

During Writer’s Workshop we went back to our knowledge about non-fiction writing and created an “All About Penguins” book! The kids did a great job and did this book all by themselves. They came up with their own facts and illustrations and we created the cover of the book together. They are hanging up in our hallway right now so everyone can read them.

                  The Cover                      Table of Contents                       Diagram

            

                            Fact Page 1                                                    Fact Page 2

                  

We used penguins in our math time to learn about "equality.” Since penguins eat fish, we used goldfish to help us see what equal means. I gave the students a number and they had to try and split that number of fish equally between the two penguins. We discovered that some numbers are able to be shared equally and some are not. This went right along with our learning about “doubles” and some students realized that if a number is a double, it can be shared equally. SMARTIES!

 

 

  Using our knowledge about doubles.

 

 

 

 

 

We have been trying something new in math called “Think Math.” During “Think Math” I write down what the answer to our problem is. We do one example together and then the kids have time to write down as many problems as they can think of that equal four. All the problems below are what THEY came up with!! I love that they are starting to see patterns in the numbers, use their knowledge about doubles and easily use the addition and subtraction sign.

Our penguin chart. Wrapping up our learning about Penguins!

We studies many different types of penguins during our unit. The students worked with partners to create a certain type of penguin. They used their books, their knowledge and the IPads to help them draw, color and cut out their penguin. It was a great way to integrate technology and learn that we can search something on the internet to help us find pictures and information we need.

 

 

 

We got to have a special popcorn party with all the kindergarten classes and watch The March of the Penguins. This was a great movie to reinforce our learning and be able to see the real thing!

This week we are learning about Arctic Animals: Walruses and Polar Bears!