Penguins

Mckee class have gone quite mad about penguins recently. It all started when we read the big book version of The Emperor's egg.

This is a non-fiction book and everyone in the class enjoyed reading it, in small groups, alone or as a class. Everyone liked looking at the illustrations and learning some facts about the Emperor penguin.

It has been in the classroom for a few weeks now and is still one of the most popular books. It also encouraged the children to bring in, from home, penguin books (both fiction and non-fiction) to share with the rest of us. Mrs Matthews did struggle with the copy of Der Pinguin, not being able to read German and so had to resort to talking about the pictures!

Unsurprisingly, the most remembered fact was that when the mummy penguin comes back she is sick into the babies mouth and the baby says "Yum yum!"

Most of the children were surprised that it was the daddy who looked after the egg and everyone was horrified that he had to stand still most of the time and did not eat for 2 whole months!

A friendly penguin came to visit us and was subjected to being measured and washed on a daily basis. His feet, beak, height and flippers were all measured time and time again. We have a tool box in the classroom full of tape measures and rulers. They have never been put to so much use. One afternoon when some members of Carle joined us, they also caught the measuring bug.

He took a trip outside into the snow to welcome the children into school one morning and on another was a perfect model for some observational painting.

Some of the items that came in for Penguin homework.
Can you spot the painted ice cube penguins?

The children drew penguins, wrote about penguins and then, when asked what they wanted for homework that week, wanted more penguins! They were challenged to tell their families what they already knew and to find out at least one new fact about penguins.

During our hall time they wanted to be penguins, and so much waddling, balancing of eggs and huddling took place. The igloo game was also very popular.

We have read quite a few penguin stories, including Penguin Post and Cuddly Dudley. These have satisfied the thirst for penguins, whilst at the same time, helped the class talk about how it felt to have siblings, to want time alone, to feel lonely, what it feels like when a new baby joins the family and best of all how nice a hug is but only when you want one.

The request now is to visit some penguins and to watch Happy feet, that one will have to be put on hold or may even be a good activity for half term! Over to you.