ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION
Where in the World is the arctic?
Summary: Background Because the arctic is geographically Students map the arctic in far away from most of North relation to their home in order Latitude lines are imaginary lines America’s population, it is a loca- to learn the location and that run east/west on the globe in tion that may be difficult for countries of the arctic. concentric circles. They are useful students to understand. This in determining the distance a activity, and those that follow, will Grade Level: given point is north or south of help students to identify the loca- 3-4; 5-8; K-2 the equator. The arctic tundra is tion of the arctic circle and its rela- circumpolar, meaning it is an Time tionship to their own community. ecosystem that spans the globe one class period. around the pole. It is found in Subjects: Asia, North America, and eight geography, language arts, math, northern countries within Europe, Procedure science generally above 60 degrees north Skills 1. Hand out the world maps application, comparison, provided and have students analysis look them over. Ask the class, Have you ever thought about Learning Objectives The arctic tundra which way is “up” on the earth? Students will be able to: is a nearly treeless Does it feel like you are at the ✔ Identify the arctic region on a zone of land found “top?“ Are you at the top? How world map. do you think people in Australia ✔ between the northern Calculate the distance might feel about their location between where they live and ice cap and the taiga, on North American world the arctic region. maps? Why would different ✔ Record prior knowledge and a zone of scattered maps be oriented in different perceptions of the arctic and evergreen trees. compare these to what they ways? Discuss How do the maps know about their own differ? What seems most impor- community. tant in each map, and why? latitude. The arctic Circle occurs Have students locate the conti- Materials nents and oceans on each map. ✔ Colored pencils at 66 degrees north latitude. Which map is easiest to use? ✔ Three maps showing different The arctic tundra is a nearly tree- Why? perspectives/orientations less zone of land found between the northern ice cap and the taiga, ✔ Copies of Student Activity a zone of scattered evergreen trees. 2. Focus on the map with the Sheet The imaginary line that distin- North Pole at the center ✔ Reference maps and atlases guishes the treeless tundra from (Map 3). Note the location of the taiga is called the tree line. the arctic Circle at 66° north latitude. This is the imaginary
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THE ARCTIC?
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line that is commonly used to again in other activities in this measure the simulated distance mark the boundary of the arctic guide. from the school to the Arctic region. Which countries of the Circle (or North Pole). When 3. Determine the latitude of your world are located within the outside, choose a point that will school. How many degrees is Arctic Circle? Using colored serve as the location of your your school from the Arctic pencils and a world map or school and mark it. Then, Circle? How many miles or kilo- atlas for reference, and working determine where the Arctic meters is your school from the in small groups, fill in the map Circle would be based on your Arctic Circle? The North Pole? of the arctic using Map I. chosen scale and mark that. Calculate the distances based on Include the names of Next, pick a familiar landmark the scale of the map you are countries or continents, the (i.e., the state capitol, a using. To illustrate the distance location of the Arctic Circle, museum, zoo, or park) and of the Arctic Circle from your the North Pole and the ice cap, measure how far that landmark school, take the class outdoors the Arctic Ocean, and the is from your school using a map and, (using an appropriate scale, tundra. Student maps should and the map’s scale. Then use for example, one foot on your be saved so they can be used the same outdoor scale and schoolyard equals 250 miles.) mark where that landmark would be on the schoolyard. Have students observe and compare the three distances. 4. The arctic is probably a long distance from your school. Explain that the arctic is usually a very cold place. Ask students to imagine what life is like on the cold, windy tundra of the arctic. What plants, animals, and people likely live there? 5. Have each student fill in the Arctic Comparisons worksheet based on their preconceptions and existing ideas of the arctic. This is not a research project; rather, students are just recording their initial ideas. More advanced students can write a paragraph about what they think the arctic would be SOURCE: UNEP
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like—what might they see in Modifications for Modifications for terms of plants and animals? Younger Students Older Students What would the weather feel like? (K-2) (5-8) What might they eat? Below the arctic row on their Help students to identify their After identifying the arctic on worksheets (or a separate page), location on a world map. Point several maps, ask students what students should fill in the corre- out the arctic’s location. Explain kinds of challenges arctic explorers sponding information for their to students how far away this is, may have faced in mapping this own school community. What relative to the size of your state or area? Have students investigate the similarities and differences do the size of the country. For the history of arctic exploration and they observe? Why do these differ- Arctic Comparisons worksheet, try to find early maps of the area. ences exist between your school have students draw pictures in How did they change over time? area and the arctic? each box of the chart and explain their drawings to each other. Assessment
Have students write a report or essay on how their lives would be different if they lived in the arctic region.
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THE ARCTIC?
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WORKSHEET
World map I
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WORKSHEET
World map II 0° Equator 15°N 15°S 30°N 30°S 45°N 45°S 60°N 60°S
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THE ARCTIC?
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WORKSHEET
Map III
Map courtesy of United Nations Environment Program
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WORKSHEET
Arctic Comparisons Weather Animals Weather Plants People arctic school’s Your community
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THE ARCTIC?
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