Topic 1: Introduction to Antarctica

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During this topic your class will get an exciting introduction to Antarctica, the quirks on what makes it such a unique place, and why it is relevant to us right here in Aotearoa-NZ.

Whether you choose to make ice-bergs with your students, learn about the amazing wildlife, or how it’s uniquely governed by the Antarctic Treaty, it’ll be sure to excite your class and hook them for the rest of the programme!

Core objective: Welcome to Antarctica! Learn the basics of this incredible continent and how it relates to us here in Aotearoa. 

Call-to-Action: Make an ice-berg! (and bring it to school)

It's an easy one this week - main thing is for students to go home and engage their parents that their participating in the Squawk Squad programme 🙂

Week 1 Highlights!


Year 1 and 2 - Level 1

Major links:

Science

  • Living World - Life processes, Ecology
  • Planet Earth and Beyond - Earth systems
  • Nature of Science - Investigating in science

Minor links:

English

  • Speaking, Presenting - Processes and strategies, Ideas

Year 3-5  - Level 2 and 3

Major links:

Science

  • Living World - Life processes, Ecology, Evolution
  • Planet Earth and Beyond - Earth systems
  • Nature of science - Understanding about science, Investigating science, Communicating in science, Participating and contributing

Minor links:

English

  • Speaking, Presenting - Processes and strategies, Ideas

Mathematics and Statistics

  • Number and Algebra - Number knowledge
  • Geometry and Measurement - Measurement

Year 6-8 - Level 3 and 4:

Major links:

Science

  • Living World - Life processes, Ecology, Evolution
  • Planet Earth and Beyond - Earth systems
  • Nature of science - Understanding about science, Investigating science, Communicating in science, Participating and contributing

Minor links:

English

  • Speaking, Presenting - Processes and strategies, Ideas

Mathematics and Statistics

  • Geometry and Measurement - Measurement

Years 1 - 2

Core outcome:

Understand the basics of this incredible continent, including the extreme conditions and how it’s animals keep toasty.

Lesson summary:

In this week's suggested lesson plan students are introduced to the icy continent we’ll be exploring together for the next eight weeks. After ‘flying down’ they’ll first consider what they would need to wear in Antarctica to survive in such cold temperatures. Following this, students will complete a hands-on experiment using ice and buckets of water to experience the ways Antarctic animals keep warm - through blubber, feathers, ‘drawing in extremities’ and huddling.

Topic Call-to-Action:

Make an ice-berg at home and bring it to school! (This week it's an easy one - an easy way to engage the parents that their child is participating in the Squawk Squad Antarctic/Climate Change Programme)


Remember - feel free to give us direct feedback by commenting directly on the lesson plans themselves!

Did you find alternative resources or an alternative use for this lesson plan in your classroom? Share it here!

Year 1 - 2 Resource
Extra Resources

Extra Resources:

  • Understanding ice-bergs! (30-60 minutes +)
  • Who owns Antarctica? (30 minutes)
  • Time traveling teacher (5 - 10 minutes)
  • Antarctic soundscape (10 minutes)
  • What’s the difference between the Arctic and Antarctica? Video (5 minutes)
  • Penguin Arts and Crafts (30 minutes)
  • Ice Isn’t Just Ice! (30 minutes)
  • Spy Hopping (Grandma’s Footsteps) (20 minutes)

Years 3 - 5

Core outcome:

Understand the basics of this incredible continent, including the extreme conditions and how it’s animals keep toasty.

Lesson summary:

In this topic’s suggested lesson plan students are introduced to the icy continent we’ll be exploring together for the next eight weeks. After ‘flying down’ they’ll first consider what they would need to wear in Antarctica to survive in such cold temperatures.

Following this, students will become Antarctic scientists, completing a hands-on experiment using ice and buckets of water to experience the ways Antarctic animals keep warm - through blubber, feathers, ‘drawing in extremities’ and huddling. Students will use the scientific method to hypothesize, test and reflect on the experiment. They’ll then use what they learnt to consider some mathematical concepts to determine which penguin will likely stay the toastiest during cold winters in Antarctica.

Topic Call-to-Action:

Make an ice-berg at home and bring it to school! (This week it's an easy one - an easy way to engage the parents that their child is participating in the Squawk Squad Antarctic/Climate Change Programme)


Remember - feel free to give us direct feedback by commenting directly on the lesson plans themselves!

Did you find alternative resources or an alternative use for this lesson plan in your classroom? Share it here!

Year 3 - 5 Resource
Extra Resources

Extra Resources:

  • Understanding ice-bergs! (30-60 minutes +)
  • Who owns Antarctica? (30 minutes)
  • Time traveling teacher (5 - 10 minutes)
  • Antarctic soundscape (10 minutes)
  • What’s the difference between the Arctic and Antarctica? Video (5 minutes)
  • Penguin Arts and Crafts (30 minutes)
  • Ice Isn’t Just Ice! (30 minutes)
  • Spy Hopping (Grandma’s Footsteps) (20 minutes)

Years 6 - 8

Core outcome:

Understand the basics of this incredible continent, including the extreme conditions and how it’s animals keep toasty.

Lesson summary:

In this topic’s suggested lesson plan students are introduced to the icy continent we’ll be exploring together for the next eight weeks. After ‘flying down’ they’ll first consider what they would need to wear in Antarctica to survive in such cold temperatures.

Following this, students will become Antarctic scientists, completing a hands-on experiment using ice and buckets of water to experience the ways Antarctic animals keep warm - through blubber, feathers, ‘drawing in extremities’ and huddling. Students will use the scientific method to hypothesize, test and reflect on the experiment. They’ll then use what they learnt to consider some mathematical concepts to determine which penguin will likely stay the toastiest during cold winters in Antarctica.

Topic Call-to-Action:

Make an ice-berg at home and bring it to school! (This week it's an easy one - an easy way to engage the parents that their child is participating in the Squawk Squad Antarctic/Climate Change Programme)


Remember - feel free to give us direct feedback by commenting directly on the lesson plans themselves!

Did you find alternative resources or an alternative use for this lesson plan in your classroom? Share it here!

Year 6 - 8 Resource
Extra Resources

Extra Resources:

  • Understanding ice-bergs! (30-60 minutes +)
  • Who owns Antarctica? (30 minutes)
  • Time traveling teacher (5 - 10 minutes)
  • Antarctic soundscape (10 minutes)
  • What’s the difference between the Arctic and Antarctica? Video (5 minutes)
  • Penguin Arts and Crafts (30 minutes)
  • Ice Isn’t Just Ice! (30 minutes)
  • Spy Hopping (Grandma’s Footsteps) (20 minutes)

Impact Metric

305.5
ice-bergs
were created by
44
Classrooms

Topic 2: Spirit of Exploration!

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