Activity Overview
An exceptional way to help your students follow a story is to have them track the events from it. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of a plot, it also reinforces major events, which helps students develop greater understanding of how the events fit together to provide the overall structure of the story.
This example identifies six main events:
- Mr. Popper admires the penguins and explorers of the North and South Pole.
- Admiral Drake sends Mr. Popper a surprise: a pet penguin from the South Pole.
- Mr. Popper gets Captain Cook a companion, Greta.
- Captain Cook and Greta have ten children, which is very costly for the Poppers.
- The Poppers and the penguins join the theater and perform in cities across the country.
- Mrs. Popper returns to Stillwater, while Mr. Popper joins Admiral Drake and the penguins on an exploration to the North Pole.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline sequence of events for the plot of Mr Popper's Penguins to show the structure of the story.
- Use the template provided by your teacher.
- Identify six main events throughout the book.
- Describe each event in a cell on the timeline.
- Illustrate the event with appropriate characters, scenes, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events | Each of the cells represents a different part of the story. The cells are in order from beginning to end. | One cell is out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information. | Important information is missing and/or two or more cells are out of order. |
| Images | Cells include images that accurately show events in the story and do not get in the way of understanding. | Most images show the events of the story, but some are incorrect. | The images are unclear or do not make sense with the story. |
| Descriptions | Descriptions match the images and show the change over time. | Descriptions do not always match the images or mention the importance of the event. | Descriptions are missing or do not match the images. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is very difficult to understand. |
Activity Overview
An exceptional way to help your students follow a story is to have them track the events from it. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of a plot, it also reinforces major events, which helps students develop greater understanding of how the events fit together to provide the overall structure of the story.
This example identifies six main events:
- Mr. Popper admires the penguins and explorers of the North and South Pole.
- Admiral Drake sends Mr. Popper a surprise: a pet penguin from the South Pole.
- Mr. Popper gets Captain Cook a companion, Greta.
- Captain Cook and Greta have ten children, which is very costly for the Poppers.
- The Poppers and the penguins join the theater and perform in cities across the country.
- Mrs. Popper returns to Stillwater, while Mr. Popper joins Admiral Drake and the penguins on an exploration to the North Pole.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline sequence of events for the plot of Mr Popper's Penguins to show the structure of the story.
- Use the template provided by your teacher.
- Identify six main events throughout the book.
- Describe each event in a cell on the timeline.
- Illustrate the event with appropriate characters, scenes, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events | Each of the cells represents a different part of the story. The cells are in order from beginning to end. | One cell is out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information. | Important information is missing and/or two or more cells are out of order. |
| Images | Cells include images that accurately show events in the story and do not get in the way of understanding. | Most images show the events of the story, but some are incorrect. | The images are unclear or do not make sense with the story. |
| Descriptions | Descriptions match the images and show the change over time. | Descriptions do not always match the images or mention the importance of the event. | Descriptions are missing or do not match the images. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is very difficult to understand. |
How Tos about Sequence of Events in Mr. Popper\'s Penguins
How to teach students to summarize the plot of Mr. Popper's Penguins in their own words
Empower students by guiding them to retell the story using their own language. This boosts comprehension and helps them internalize major plot points.
Begin with a class discussion of key events
Engage students in sharing what they remember about the story's main events. Brainstorming together encourages participation and sets a foundation for summarizing.
Model summarizing a single event aloud
Demonstrate how to condense one event from the book into a simple, clear sentence. Think aloud about what details are most important to include and which can be left out.
Guide students to write their own summary sentences
Support students as they write one-sentence summaries for each major event. Circulate and offer feedback to help them focus on clarity and accuracy.
Have students share and revise their summaries in pairs
Encourage students to read their summaries to a partner and discuss ways to improve them. Peer feedback strengthens understanding and writing skills.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sequence of Events in Mr. Popper\'s Penguins
What are the main events in Mr. Popper's Penguins?
The main events in Mr. Popper's Penguins include Mr. Popper's fascination with polar explorers and penguins, receiving a penguin named Captain Cook, getting a companion penguin Greta, the birth of ten baby penguins, the family's stage performances, and Mr. Popper joining Admiral Drake on a polar expedition.
How can I teach the sequence of events in Mr. Popper's Penguins to my students?
Create a timeline activity where students identify and illustrate six key events from the story. Have them use a template to describe each event and include relevant characters and scenes, helping reinforce plot structure and comprehension.
Why is tracking the sequence of events important in reading comprehension?
Tracking the sequence of events helps students understand how a story unfolds, recognize cause and effect, and remember key details, all of which improve reading comprehension and plot analysis skills.
What is a simple lesson plan for teaching plot structure with Mr. Popper's Penguins?
Have students read the book, then use a timeline worksheet to identify and describe six major plot events. Ask them to illustrate each event and discuss how these events connect to form the story's structure. This visual approach supports deeper understanding.
What materials do I need for a Mr. Popper's Penguins sequence of events activity?
You'll need a timeline template, drawing supplies (like colored pencils or markers), and copies of Mr. Popper's Penguins. Optional: sample illustrations or event descriptions for reference.
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Mr. Popper's Penguins
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