Welcome to our third set of Origami Animals! Today we will be focusing on two projects perfect for second graders: the Penguin and the Swan.
Age: 5+
Duration: 5-8 minutes
Learning Outcomes: Exercise fine motor skills. Practice following directions independently.
You’ll Need:
- R15219 Elementary Origami Animals
- Washable Markers
- Glue Stick
- Googly Eyes
With second graders, this activity can be individual, done in small groups OR done as a class. If you are structuring this activity individually or in small groups, first download the instruction sheet (Click on the link under “You’ll Need”), and print off copies for each student or group of students. The fully illustrated and easy to follow instruction sheets allow students to problem-solve and work independently to create an adorable finished product. If students get stuck, direct them to the video tutorials.
Our first project today is the penguin.
Once students have successfully folded their penguins, there are some great options for books to pair their animals with! One of my favorite books was read to me by my teacher during our lunch break, and it has penguins galore. Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard Atwater is a fantastic book to pair with penguin pals. Other great books about penguins include:
- And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson, Henry Cole and Peter Parnell
- One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo
- Eve of the Emperor Penguin by Mary Pope Osborne (A Magic Tree House Book)
Today’s second project is the swan.
Once everyone has their folded swans, pair them with a book! Hans Christian Anderson was a big fan of swans, and he wrote fairy tales that have been adapted into picture books including familiar titles like The Ugly Duckling and Wild Swans. Other excellent titles featuring swans include:
- The Trumpet of the Swan by EB White
- The Swan Princess by Rosie Dickins
- Although it’s not a book, Swan Lake the ballet is a great addition to children’s cultural education. It’s also a great way to get kids interested in literature as well as dance and theater!
As always, challenge your students to read independently with a little help from their winged pals!
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