different penguins standing next to each other
Patrick J. Endres/Getty Images (Rockhopper Penguin); HitManSnr/Shutterstock.com (Fairy Penguin); Suzi Eszterhas/Minden Pictures (Magellanic Penguin); Cavan Images/Offset (Emperor Penguin); Keren Su/China Span/Alamy Stock Photo (Chick); Jim McMahon/Mapman® (Globe)
Words & Pictures,

A Peek at Penguins

You’re going to read a story about a penguin. Here are five facts you should know first.

From the September 2021 Issue
Lexiles: 380L
Guided Reading Levels: I
DRA Level: 16-18
Topic: Science,
Common Core Standards
  • RI.2.1 Key details RI.2.4 Vocabulary RI.2.5 Nonfiction text features RI.2.9 Compare two texts on a similar topic RI.2.10 Read grade 2- appropriate informational text SL.2 Participate in conversations about grade 2 texts

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1) There are 18 kinds of penguins in the world.

1) There are 18 kinds of penguins in the world.

Patrick J. Endres/Getty Images (Rockhopper Penguin); HitManSnr/Shutterstock.com (Fairy Penguin); Suzi Eszterhas/Minden Pictures (Magellanic Penguin); Cavan Images/Offset (Emperor Penguin); Keren Su/China Span/Alamy Stock Photo (Chick); Jim McMahon/Mapman® (Globe)

They each look a little different! Here are a few of them.

They each look a little different!

2) Some penguins live in the ice and snow.

2) Some penguins live in the ice and snow.

Jim McMahon (Mapman)

Brrr! The coldest place in the world is Antarctica. Some kinds of penguins live there.

Some penguins live in Antarctica. It is the coldest place in the world.

3) Other kinds of penguins live on sandy beaches.

3) Other kinds of penguins live on sandy beaches.

John-Fs-Pic/Shutterstock.com

This is a Magellanic (ma-juh-LA-nik) penguin. These penguins live on the beaches and islands of South America. They are great swimmers. They catch fish in the warm waters.

Magellanic (ma-juh-LA-nik) penguins live on the beach in South America. They are great swimmers.

4) Oil can harm penguins.

4) Oil can harm penguins.

Marius Dobilas/Alamy Stock Photo

Some big ships carry oil. Sometimes, the oil spills. Oil can make penguins very sick.

Big ships carry oil. Sometimes the oil spills. Oil can make penguins sick.

5) They live with other penguins.

5) They live with other penguins.

buenaventura/Shutterstock.com

Honk, honk! That is the sound of many penguins. Most penguins spend time with other penguins. They are not friends with people. But you’re about to meet one penguin that was!

They are not friends with people. But you’re about to meet one penguin that was!

Slideshows (1)
Activities (4)
Skills Activities
Slideshows (1)
Activities (4) Download All Quizzes and Activities
Skills Activities

About the Article

Science Focus

Biodiversity, Habitats

Social Studies

Geography: maps, continents

Vocabulary

Antarctica, islands

Social Studies Focus

Using a globe

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
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BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE

This article gives kids background knowledge that will help them better understand this issue’s Big Read nonfiction article, “The Grandpa and the Penguin” on page 6.

1. BEFORE READING

Preview Vocabulary (5-10 minutes)
  • Play the online vocabulary slideshow. This article’s featured words are Antarctica and islands.

2.  READ THE ARTICLE (10 MINUTES)

  • This article works well with whole-class instruction. Call on different students to read each numbered section aloud. The numbers make the text easy to navigate.
  • As you read, stop to analyze the photos. What do students notice about the different penguins next to number 1? (There are different kinds and sizes!)
  • Point out the only photo on the page that is NOT a penguin. (the oil tanker ship) Share that this is a huge petroleum tanker used to transport tons of oil. Explain that sometimes these tankers have oil spills.

3.  AFTER READING (3 MINUTES)

ELA Focus: Quiz (10 minutes)

  • Pass out the quiz for a quick comprehension check.
  • We offer both multiple-choice and written-answer formats for the quiz.
  • We also offer a lower-level quiz.

ELA Focus: Key Details (20 minutes)

  • It’s time to help Nosey fill out her Fact File! Print out Nosey’s Fact File from the Resources section of our website. Kids can find facts from the article.
  • Each fact box is scaffolded to help kids know what to write.
  • Kids can share their facts with a partner or with the whole class, or they can email their Fact Files to Nosey at [email protected]!

Enrich the Learning: Paired Text (20 minutes)

  • After reading this short article, students will have background knowledge for the Big Read article, “The Grandpa and the Penguin” on page 6.
  • Two Different Texts Use this printable to help your students compare and contrast this article with the Big Read.

Text-to-Speech