A Funny Bird Lesson Plan

What We Are Learning

animal behavior and adaptations

flippers, beak, webbed feet, feathers, waterproof

using visuals

counting

Penguins, Penguins Everywhere! by Bob Barner provides a great introduction to penguins. After reading, tell children they’re going to learn more about these funny birds. Be sure to return to the book later for penguin facts in the back. paired text

Movement: Waddling Relay

Materials: medium-sized balls or balloons, masking tape, stopwatch

This relay gets children working as a team—and waddling like penguins!
Tell children that penguins work as a team. They catch fish, care for babies, and stay warm together. Say that the class will do an activity as a team, and they’ll wadde like penguins!
Put a ball between your ankles and model waddling around. Then let children practice. (If you use balloons, do not inflate completely to avoid popping!)
Line children up single file. Mark a finish line with masking tape 10 feet away. One at a time, children will “waddle” to the line and back. Then the next person will go. Time the relay to see how fast they go! gross motor skills/teamwork

Materials: Penguin Feather Template online skill sheet, scissors, crayons, spray bottles, water

Get a hands-on understanding of Clifford’s Big Word: waterproof!
To prepare, print one Penguin Feather Template for each child. Cut the papers in half so the feathers are on two separate pages.
Have children color one feather with a thick layer of crayon. The second should remain uncolored. Ask children what will happen when they spray the two feathers with water. Will water go through the paper?
Then have children spray both feathers. The water on the colored feather will bead up, while the water on the plain feather will soak through!
Explain that penguins’ feathers have a coating that’s waxy like crayons. It makes the feathers waterproof. making observations