Part II: Penguins Nesting Know-How

Aim
Students will receive mail from Antarctica. Design a postcard about penguins and have it sent back from the bottom of the world.

Objectives
Students will be able to:

1. locate Antarctica on the map and describe several unique characteristics of this remote continent,
2. describe several characteristics of penguins and then
3. design a postcard, and learn correct addressing procedure for mailing.

Vocabulary Concepts
Antarctica, Adelie Penguins, sea ice, ice floes, nests, chicks, freezing, molting, adaptation.

Procedures

1. Have students find Antarctica on a map.
2. Make a list of how life in this extreme place is different than where they live.
3. Look at pictures of penguin adaptations on the website (www.penguinscience.com/education/adaptations.php) and have students describe what makes these birds different than other birds they are familiar with, chickens, pigeons, ducks or robins.

Students then design a self addressed stamped post card about penguins or Antarctica. Send them as a class to the project coordinator before Oct 29, 2007. Full instructions at: http://penguinscience.com/education/postcards.php 

Activities
Looking at maps
Comparing bird adaptations
Art activity
Making observations

Standards Addressed
Using maps
Comparing adaptations in living organisms
Making observations
Diversity in living organisms

Teacher Tips

To Part II: Penguins Nesting Know-How

About the teacher
Jean Pennycook has been a science teacher for 20 years and recently left the classroom to help Antarctic scientists connect their research to children. Through a grant from National Science Foundation, Jean will be working in the Adelie penguin breeding colony from November through February, uploading pictures onto the internet every day, allowing students to watch baby chicks as they grow.

School
Fresno Unified School District

E-mail 
jean.pennycook@gmail.com

Subject Areas  
Science
General elementary

Grade Levels 
Pre-shcool to grade 6

To Part II: Penguins Nesting Know-How