The Arctic Is Changing

Students will build background knowledge about Arctic ecosystems and climate change.

Materials:

• World map
• Arctic photographs
• Sticky notes
• Chart paper

Procedure:

1. Locate the Arctic on a world map.
2. Examine photographs of Arctic landscapes.
3. Discuss what students already know about the Arctic.
4. Create a K-W-L chart:
   1. What do we Know?
   2. What do we Want to Know?
   3. What have we Learned?
5. Introduce the concept of permafrost and explain how it plays an important role in the novel

Discussion Questions:

• Why might scientists study the Arctic?
• How can changes in one region affect the rest of the world?
• Why is climate change considered a global issue?

Extension:

Research one Arctic animal and create a fact card.