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Penguins

Know key facts about penguins — they live in the Antarctic and Southern Hemisphere, they cannot fly but are excellent swimmers, Emperor penguins are the largest and huddle together in winter to keep warm, and penguin parents take turns keeping their egg warm on their feet in freezing temperatures

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What a learner can do afterwards

  • State at least three facts about penguins: they can't fly, they're excellent swimmers, and Emperor penguins are the biggest
  • Describe how Emperor penguins huddle together in winter to keep warm
  • Explain that penguin parents take turns keeping their egg warm on their feet in freezing temperatures

The lesson

Penguins live in the Antarctic and nearby cold places. They cannot fly like other birds. But penguins are amazing swimmers. Their flipper-like wings push them fast through water.

Emperor4Littlepenguin1
Emperor penguins stand about four feet tall. Little penguins are much smaller.

Winter in Antarctica is bitterly cold and windy. Emperor penguins huddle together in a big group. They take turns standing on the outside. This keeps every penguin warm.

Try it together

Papa the emperor penguin guards one egg. He balances it on his feet. A warm flap of skin covers the egg. He waits for weeks in freezing cold. Mom is away, hunting for fish.

Good to know

Next time you feel cold, think of penguins. Huddling together, like they do, keeps everyone warmer than standing alone.

Penguins can't fly, but they swim well, huddle for warmth, and share egg duty.

Watch it

Where it sits

Where this leads

Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.

Then practise

8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.

Penguins · Science, ages 5 to 7 · LightMySky