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Antarctica - Science

Sample Learning Experiences

SAMPLE ONE:

Objective:

    Students will describe the habitat of Antarctica.

Learning Experiences:

    Teacher and students will discuss the location of Antarctica on the globe and the low temperatures it experiences.  Teacher will have students simulate the rotation of the Earth around the sun: standing in the center of the classroom, a student will hold a flashlight as the "sun" and another student will hold the globe and rotate it around the "sun".  Students will observe that due to Antarctica´s location on the globe, it does not receive much sunlight.

SAMPLE TWO:

Objective:

    Students will give two examples of environmental threats that penguins encounter and how the penguins have adapted to them.

Learning Experiences:

    1. Antarctic animals are faced with constant cold temperatures.  Due to this climate, animals had to adapt in order to survive.  Students will discover there are very few species in Antarctica.  Those that have survived have thick layers of blubber to protect themselves against the cold air and water temperatures.  Students will learn that people used to hunt penguins for the oil in their blubber.

    2.Teacher and students will explore other animals of Antarctica, such as skuas, leopard seals, killer whales, and sharks.  Students will understand that penguins and their young eggs are the prey and the others are the predators.  Penguins need to share responsibility with their mate to feed and protect their young.  They must always enter the water carefully and use tobogganing, jumping, or porpoising to get around safely.

Assessment:

    Students will be encouraged to recall defense mechanisms of animals in other continents studied during the year.  Students will verbally explain why specific animals belong in their particular habitat.  Using a large world map and pictures of animals, students will arrange misplaced animals in their appropriate habitat.

References:

    1.Bonners, Susan. (1981).  A Penguin Year. New York: Delacorte Press.

    2.Gibbons, Gail. (1998). Penguins! New York: Holiday House.

    3.Jeunesse, Gallimard & Mettler, Renè. (1995). Penguins. Illustrated by Renè Mettler. New York: Scholastic.

    .Ollason, Robert J. (1995). Penguin Parade. Minneapolis: Learner Publications Company.

    5.Resnick, Jane P. (1997). Eyes on Nature: Penguins. Chicago: Kidsbooks Incorporated.

Recommended:

    1. Zoobooks magazine. Wildlife Education, Ltd.

        9820 Willow Creek Road, Suite 300

        San Diego, CA 92131

    2. Field trip to the zoo.

    3. Field trip to a museum with Antarctic exhibit.