Icebergs and penguins
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/18/g68/seaspenguin.html
A lesson plan for grade 4 Science
In this Xpeditions lesson, students read a National Geographic News article and explore difficulties emperor penguins face when trying to get food for their young. This lesson engages students in developing skills to evaluate various forms of media and writing reports.
Students will:
- view and discuss photographs of the Ross Ice Shelf;
- view pictures of and sketch emperor penguins, leopard seals, and Antarctic ice;
- read and answer questions about an article discussing the impacts of ice buildup on penguins;
- see pictures of icebergs changing position along the Antarctic coast;
- discuss the icebergs’ potential and actual impacts on penguin colonies; and
- write brief reports pretending that they are scientists reporting on the status of emperor penguin populations.
Xpeditions provides links to necessary web resources, detailed instructions for completing the lesson, and suggestions for assessment and extension activities.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Science (2005)
Grade 4
- Goal 1: The learner will make observations and conduct investigations to build an understanding of animal behavior and adaptation.
- Objective 1.01: Observe and describe how all living and nonliving things affect the life of a particular animal including:
- Other animals.
- Plants.
- Weather.
- Climate.
- Objective 1.01: Observe and describe how all living and nonliving things affect the life of a particular animal including:
