Writing About Penguins: Diary of a Emperor Chick

Emperor Penguin Chick

I love the emperor chick.  They are so beautiful--why not write about them!!!  Start by giving the students some background information.  I have a lot of great recommendations for penguin books here.

  These are some wonderful books about the baby chick.  

Penguin Chick, by Betty Tatham

March of the Penguins

You can also show them two Youtube videos of the chicks being fed, and the babies first steps!

Video of parents feeding the chicks



Video of bay chicks taking their first steps.

Finally, there are many different ways students could organize their writing.  I love using Diary of a ...by Doreen Cronin as a model text.  The students could write a diary of a baby penguin chick.

Diary of a Fly, by Doreen Cronin

Now that the background work is completed--the students can start the writing process.  First, they can gather everything they know about penguin chicks.  This can be done small group, whole group, or independently.  I love using writing webs as a way to discuss what they have learned about the penguin chicks!

Penguin Writing Web

After the web is completed, they can start mapping out what they want to have happen each day of the diary.  This graphic organizer can help the students decide and organize what they want each day.

Diary of a Penguin: Graphic Organizer

Finally, the students will want to publish their writing.  After the draft has been approved by a teacher, they can use this writing paper for a final copy of their work.  What a fun way to display their work and knowledge of penguins! 

Penguin Writing Paper

I promise the writing paper is much better in person--rather than a scanned copy!  

This little project meets many of the common core objectives across grades and curriculum.

This helps the students to write narrative, research the subject, and work towards producing and publishing the writing.

Common Core Writing Standards:
2.W.3, 2.W.5, 2.W.6, 2.W.7
3.W.3, 3.W.4, 3.W.5, 3.W..6, 3.W.7
4.W.3, 4.W.4, 4.W.5, 4.W.6. 4.W.7, 4.W.10

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