Pemberton
Project Penguin
Henrico Learner Profile (HLP) 6C Focus
Kindergarten - Math and ELA
SOL/Standard -
Math Standards:
K.9: The student will compare two objects or events according to length
K.10: The student will
a) identify and describe plane figures
b) compare the size and shape of plane figures
c)describe the location of one object relative to another
1.10: The student will use nonstandard units to measure and compare length (width and volume)
Use nonstandard units (cubes, measuring tape, tape on the wall) to measure the length
ELA Standards:
K.12: The student will conduct research to answer questions or to solve problems using available resources
b) generate questions to gather information
c) identify pictures, texts, or people as sources of information
d) find information from provided sources
Learning Experience
Kindergarten students worked with a partner to research a type of penguin. Students needed to learn about its physical features, including the animal's height, as well as its habitat, diet, and any other important characteristics about their specific species of penguin. (reading k.12)
After drawing a picture of the animal’s habitat, students were challenged to create a life-sized model, of accurate height, of their penguin using recycled materials. Students had to engage critical thinking skills as they manipulated a variety of materials to describe and select the best shapes to build their penguin (math k.10) get their penguin to its just right height, checking their work using non-standard units of measurement (Unifix Cubes) (math k.9, 1.10).
Finally, students learned computer science skills like looping, debugging, and algorithms as they coded their penguin to move around its habitat, sharing facts about it as it moved, using Scratch Jr.
What did the student(s) learn about this experience:
"I liked that we got to have a partner and pick our penguin and learn abou it. Painting the penguin was challenging because sometimes the tape got in the way. I would like to do more projects " - Grayson
What did the teacher enjoy about this experience:
"Pemberton’s mascot is the penguin, so I wanted to give my kindergarten students an opportunity to learn more about the animal that represents our school. This research project was cross-curricular covering reading, math, and science SOLs. The students had lots of questions about penguins and loved using tools like Pebble Go to discover new information about them. Once students learned that there were so many different types of penguins, they were excited to build life-size models of the penguins they learned about. The students had so much fun working with their partners to create authentic penguins made from recyclable materials. The students finished the project by sharing their learning through SeeSaw with their families and are so excited to have their penguin models on display at the Henrico 21 event."
Additional Pictures, Media & Artifacts
After completing their research, design, and construction, students added the specific details to their penguins using a variety of medium.
Students collaborated to create a blueprint for their penguin labeling the materials they would use for each part.
Kindergarten students used a variety of resources including digital tools like epic! and PebbleGo as well as library books to do their research.
B4CDE445-164C-4ED1-939C-B6DF8903EF8D.mp4IMG_3250.MOVIMG_3251.MOVLongan_ScratchJr.mp4Margo_scratchJR.mp4Peri_ScratchJR.mp4Grayson_scratchjr.mp4Kerrigan_scratchJr.mp4Blake_scratch_jr.mp4Students used Scratch Jr and used block coding to move their penguin through its habitat!
Students used non-standard units of measurement to see how tall their penguin would need to be. After students marked the height of the unifix cubes, they had to problem-solve and choose "just right" boxes to make sure their penguin was the right size!
Thank you to the innovators who helped make this experience possible:
Mrs. Jill Morris (KG Teacher) and her Kindergarten students
