Penguin Research for Primary Grades

Subject Area(s):

• K-12: Language Arts
• Behavioral Studies
• Geography
• K-12: Science
• K-12: Technology

Grade Level(s):

• K-2nd Grade

Description:

This lesson is the library component of a unit on birds. In this lesson, children discover the non-fiction section of the library and narrow down their research topic to include one penguin of their choice. Motivation is enhanced because children have a choice of what they will research and ultimately how they will present the results of their research.

Goals & Objectives:

Students will be able to:

-Find the non-fiction section of the library
-Locate information in a book about penguins

-Choose a favorite penguin to research

Materials:

Ø And Tango Makes Three, read by the librarian

Ø An assortment of non-fiction books on penguins

Ø Books on birds

Ø Posters of different penguins

Ø Comparison Chart_handout

Procedures:

THE LIBRARY LESSON:

1. The librarian reads And Tango Makes Three, a non-fiction book of a remarkable TRUE story of a “penguin family” to first graders.
2. The librarian discusses the differences between fiction and non-fiction books. Children are encouraged to ask questions.
3. The classroom teacher uses the poster of birds created the day before in class to remind students of the different kinds of birds.
4. The librarian models how to find the non-fiction section of the library, how to find books on animals, and how to locate information inside books.
5. The students explore the non-fiction section on their own with help from the librarian and classroom teacher as needed. It is important that students have adequate time for exploration.
6. The students narrow down their “research topic” on birds to one they choose to research.

Assessment:

-Observations of whether students can successfully navigate the non-fiction section of the library and locate information within books.



-Has child been able to generate a research topic?

Standards:

National Information Literacy Standards (K-12)

Accesses information efficiently and effectively.

• Identifies a variety of potential sources of information.
• Develops and uses successful strategies for locating information.

Information Skills and Subskills (K-16)

Selection

• Narrows topic to be explored

Planning

• Identifies potential information sources

Exploration

• Explores range of information resources
• Finalizes formulation of research topic
• Subject: K-12: Language Arts

National Content Standards (K-12)

Writing

• Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process
• Gathers and uses information for research purposes
• Subject: K-12: Science

Nature of Science

• Understands the nature of scientific inquiry