This *might* be one of my favorite penguin books… The Penguin Who Wanted to fly {by Catherine Vase} is PRECIOUS. The story is adorable, but the illustrations are downright ADORABLE! We did A LOT of non-fiction penguin related activities, but we had to stop it down for a bit and use this book to make some text to self connections…along with a little craftivity, of course! Making connections is a HUGE piece in our reading assessments and we try to seize every opportunity to get our kids to make those connections! We made text to self connections with this writing prompt… {click the pic to download!} I love, love, LOVED their responses!!! Please excuse the quality of these pictures…my iphone camera isn’t the best ;) I got a little camera happy with the new baby and it died and I keep forgetting to charge it! “I wish that I could use the computer.” I had to clarify this one and make sure she knew she could use the computer in my classroom!! She assured me she was talking about the one at home! HA!!! “I wish I could be a mermaid and swim in the sea!” “I wish I could be Rudolph because he has a red nose.” “I would like to make a cake for my friend.” I reminded her that I am her friend and she can make a cake for me ANY time! HA! I do realize the little penguins look like Perry the Platypus from Phineas and Ferb, but darnit…they’re too stinkin’ cute! The kids had a BLAST writing about what they wished they could do…it was really neat to see them so into their writing. And they always love assembling little craftivities. So if you’re looking for another little penguin activity to add to your collection, make sure you pick up this book and download the picture above for your download of the writing sheet!
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Michaela says
Oh my goodness! I LOVE your cute little penguins and the large one in the center of your bulletin board is just adorable!
Great job! (as always) 😉
A. Monroe says
What independent and original little thinkers you have. Such great variety in student responses and what a cute caftivity.
Thanks always for sharing.
schoolisahappyplace
Miss Choi says
Awe! I LOVE it! 🙂 It's too cute!!! I already did a penguin activity for math with my kiddos, but I HAVE to do this one too.
Janet
http://livelovelaughlearn1stgrade.blogspot.com/
Jessica says
You are so creative Cara! I love all of your fun ideas! =)
Jessica
Amanda says
I have never heard of this story before. I will now be on the hunt for it! You are right your penguins do look like Perry a little, but I would not have thought if you hadn't said it. 🙂
Love your students' connections!
Mrs. Pauley’s Kindergarten
Mrs. Sheehan says
I love penguins to begin with so I am partial to all penguin related activities, but this one takes the cake! So darn cute! Thanks for the writing prompt. I recently ran in to a book called Penguin and Pinecone by Salina Yoon and it is beyond cute! Highly recommend it 🙂
Maribel
Learning In Wonderland
Mrs Cupcake says
Those responses are adorable!! I would like a cake, too! 🙂
❤Teri
A Cupcake for the Teacher
Meagan says
So cute! My classes favorite penguin book is "Turtle's Penguin Day." It is a perfect book for making connections.
Meg
The Brown-Bag Teacher says
These are super cute and the fact that they look like Perry is a bonus 🙂 Well done!
Catherine
The Brown-Bag Teacher
Kate says
So so cute!! I have to check that book out. Have you read A Frog Thing? Can't think of the author right now… It's really similar to this! 🙂
Kate
Second Grade Sparkle
Traci - Dragonflies in First says
OH! Those penguins are cute… but their responses are just absolutely adorable!!!! Have you read A Wish for Wings That Work? It's about Opus the Penguin, whose Christmas wish for Santa was for wings that worked. Super cute and hilarious, too. 😀
❤Dragonflies in First ❤
Jess says
I love their responses! Brings a smile to my face 🙂
Thanks for sharing your writing prompt too… I love how you've been really clear to kids about the kind of text connections they're making!
Jess
Early Years Fun
Deedee Wills says
So sweet! I just might have to have "penguins revisited" so I can add your sweet book and craft!
Michelle Hudgeons says
Precious as always!
Across the Hall says
What a cute way to make connections. Love it!
Halle
Across the Hall in 2nd Grade
Cindy Calenti says
Thanks for the great book suggestion. I LOVE the text to self connection prompt.
Cindy
Granny Goes to School
Kyp Mclaren says
Cara,
I absolutely love reading your blog! You always share things I can do right away in my classroom and I don't have to purchase anything to do it! I believe you share from the heart at all times! You might not realize what a one in a million you really are!
Thank you for always sharing!
Kyp
Bonnie Baker says
There is a video on You Tube from the BBC of penguins flying. It looks quite convincing. After some researching, I found that it was done as an April Fools joke. It's a great thing to show your kids to discuss how some things can look like they are true on the internet but are not.
Kristina says
This is so cute! I will be putting this in my notes for next year!
Kelsey Leathers says
This is such a cute and creative idea! I'm a huge fan of yours and I LOVE your blog! I just started my own so if you have a chance, please take a quick look! 🙂
http://lessonsinfirstgrade.blogspot.com/
Wallis says
Why is making connections so hard for them is a question I often ask myself. But…we just keep on a practicin'. Love your penguins, and I think the kids would love them even more BECAUSE they look like Perry. 🙂
Wallis
First Grade Wolves
R Lindle says
Thank you for sharing the book! I'll have to get it for next year…too cute =)
Mrs. Wheeler says
Cute! We are hitting making connections next week so this will be perfecto. I love your giant penguin!!! Too bad the only butcher paper we have is from 1970 and faded…
Megan
Mrs. Wheeler’s First Grade
Mrs. Wheeler TpT
Casey Nelson says
Thank you so much! This is so cute and our new assessments make our kinders (the ones reading well) respond in writing to their reading. This is great practice!
Thank you
Casey
addictedtokindergarten.blogspot.com/
Sue Cahalane says
This is toooo cute! Thank you for sharing!!
Sue
Science for Kids Blog