Penguins in the Cold Cored Literacy Readers Level D

Book Snapshot

• Title: Penguins in the Cold

• Genre: Narrative Nonfiction

• Subject: Life Science

• Primary Topic: Penguin adaptations for living in the cold

• Estimated Guided Reading Level (A–Z): D

What This Book Teaches Best

• How penguins stay warm in a cold place using thick feathers and blubber.

• Ways penguins move on ice, including waddling and tobogganing.

• How penguins swim well, using their wings like paddles to move underwater.

• How penguins stay together to share body heat when the wind blows hard.

• Penguin family/life cycle details shown through an egg hatching and a chick growing.

Learning Goals

• Students will describe how feathers and blubber help a penguin stay warm.

• Students will identify two ways penguins move across the ice in the book.

• Students will explain what “tobogganing” means using details from the text.

• Students will describe how penguins move in water and how their wings help them swim.

• Students will explain why penguins stand close together when the wind blows hard.

• Students will recount how Pip’s dad keeps the egg safe and warm.

Key Vocabulary From the Text

• blubber — a thick layer of fat that keeps an animal warm.

• waddle — walk with short steps, rocking side to side.

• slippery — smooth and easy to slide on.

• tobogganing — sliding on your belly across the ice.

• paddles — parts that push water to help you move.

Discussion Prompts

• Pre-reading question: What do you think helps penguins live in a very cold place?

• Comprehension questions: Where does Pip the penguin live?

• Comprehension questions: What is tobogganing in the story?

• Comprehension questions: What does Pip’s dad do to keep the egg safe and warm?

FULL CATALOG OF DOWNLOAD LINKS HERE

Leveled Literacy Readers Links

Level AA

Level A

Level B

Level C

Level D

Penguin's Cozy Hat

Penguins in the Cold

Level E

Level F

Level G

Level H

Level I

Level J

Level K

Level L

Level M

Level N

Level O

Level P

Level Q

Level R

Level S

Level T

Level U

Level V

Leveled Literacy Readers Series (K–5)

This Leveled Literacy Readers series supports readers across Grades K–5 with engaging fiction and nonfiction titles written at carefully controlled levels. Color-coded leveling makes it simple to sort, grab, and match books to students. Every reader includes a quick pre-reading prompt, a short vocabulary set pulled from the text, and after-reading questions that build discussion, comprehension, and confidence.

With a consistent format from book to book, these readers fit seamlessly into guided reading, small groups, centers, independent practice, intervention, and take-home reading—helping students strengthen fluency, vocabulary in context, and text-based understanding with minimal prep.

How to Use These Readers

Best-fit classroom uses (grab-and-go):

• Small-group instruction: guided reading, strategy groups, or intervention

• Independent reading routines: Read-to-Self, daily reading practice, book bins

• Literacy stations: “Read + Respond,” vocabulary station, partner reading

• Read-aloud + talk: quick mini-lesson opener or science/SEL tie-in discussion

• Fluency practice: repeated reading, echo/choral reading, buddy reading

• Quick assessment moments: retell/check-for-understanding, exit-ticket responses

• Home connection: send-home reading with a simple discussion prompt built in

• Sub-friendly plans: predictable structure students can follow independently

Easy 10–15 minute flow (works anywhere):

1. Ask the pre-reading question (purpose for reading)

2. Students read (solo/partner/teacher-led)

3. Teach the 5 vocab words quickly in context

4. Answer the after-reading questions (oral discussion or short written responses)

Center ideas (no extra prep):

• Find-it-in-the-text: students point to the sentence/picture that proves an answer

• Vocab match: word ↔ meaning ↔ quick sketch

• Retell in 3: three key details in order (first/next/last)

Structure

Each reader is built around a focused sub-theme within a broader topic, written at a specific level to support real progress over time. Students begin with a one-sentence pre-reading question to activate thinking, read the book with picture support, then revisit key ideas using a short vocabulary set and after-reading comprehension questions. The routine stays consistent across titles—predictable for students, efficient for teachers, and easy to use in guided reading, centers, or independent practice.

Each completed reader includes:

• One leveled reader (K–5 range across the series)

• Color-coded level labeling for quick sorting and bin organization

• Pre-reading question (1 sentence) to build purpose for reading

• Vocabulary support (5 words from the text with child-friendly meanings)

• After-reading comprehension questions (3 one-sentence prompts for discussion or written response)

Themes Included

These readers span a wide range of age-appropriate, high-interest topics, such as:

• Seasons, holidays, and celebrations

• Real-world science, animals, and nature

• Community, character, and life skills

• Everyday themes students already enjoy (friends, family, school, routines)

Each title connects to familiar experiences while strengthening fluency, vocabulary in context, and text-based comprehension.

Easy extensions (optional):

• Read twice: first for gist, second to find key details

• Highlight/underline one detail that answers each comprehension question

• Create a 3-bullet “What I learned” list (or a simple mind map)

• Turn answers into a short retell using sequence words (first/next/then/finally)

• Choose one vocabulary word and draw it with a caption from the text

• Compare two books on the same topic: what’s the same and what’s different?

Differentiation tips:

• Preview 2–3 key words with quick examples before reading

• Offer sentence starters for responses (e.g., “In the book, I learned…”)

• Use partner reading: one reads, one points to evidence in the text/pictures

• Allow rereading for fluency (echo reading, choral reading, or whisper phones)

• Chunk the reading into short sections with quick check-ins

• Extend stronger readers by asking them to justify an answer using an exact detail from the text

For similar downloads and other frees, do check out Cored Group on TeachSimple.