This unit of work is based on the article ‘Penguins - Meet The Family’ from issue 11 of Animal Planet magazine (included). Pupils will read facts about the 18 species of penguin, plotting their locations on a world map. Pupils will then investigate penguin habitats before writing a story from a penguin’s point of view, using information gathered from the text and their own research.
The article is also used to develop comprehension skills to check pupils’ understanding of the text and to encourage them to retrieve and record information from non-fiction.
During the unit the pupils will develop their knowledge of world maps, locating the areas that the different penguin species can be found in, and learn how each has adapted to its habitat.
Teachers’ notes are included for each of the activities, with suggested activities to develop the unit further.
This resource pack includes:
Copy of the Animal Planet article ‘Penguins – Meet The Family’
Comprehension question cards (with answer sheet)
Penguin image cards
Blank map of the World
Penguin name labels
A penguin’s habitat research sheet
Penguin adaptations worksheet
Writing prompt
Narrative planning sheet
Themed writing paper
What is Animal Planet Magazine?
This pack has been created in association with Animal Planet magazine, which fuels curious minds, helps children make sense of the world and sparks joy on every page.
To find out more, and register your interest in a school subscription, visit https://www.animalplanetmagazine.com/schools
National Curriculum Programme of Study Links
Reading
Pupils should develop positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read by listening to and discussing a wide range of … non-fiction
Pupils should understand what they read by
Pupils should be taught how to retrieve, record and present information from non-fiction.
Writing
Year 3 / 4
Pupils should plan their writing by
- discussing writing similar to that which they are planning to write in order to understand and learn from its structure, vocabulary and grammar
- discussing and recording ideas
Pupils should draft and write by
- organising paragraphs around a theme
- in narratives, create setting, character and plot
Year 5/6
Pupils should plan their writing by
- identifying the audience for and purpose of the writing, selecting the appropriate form and using other similar writing as models for their own
- noting and developing initial ideas, drawing on reading research where necessary
Pupils should draft and write by
- in narratives, describe settings, characters …
Geography
Locational Knowledge
Pupils should be taught to identify the position and significance of latitude, longitude, Equator, Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn …
Geographical Skills and Fieldwork
Pupils should be taught to use maps, atlases, globes or digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe features studied
Science
Year 6
Pupils should be taught to describe how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment in different ways …