This book has fascinating information and exceptional photographs. For this three-day lesson, groups of students will concentrate on a few pages of the book and decide how to impart the information to the rest of the class so they will be able to answer comprehension questions.
Objectives
1. Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers. LA3-RL-1
2. Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur). LA3-RI-7
3. Report on a topic or text, tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace. LA3-SL-4
Materials and Preparation
- “Life on the Ice” by Susan E. Goodman; provide multiple copies of the book or photocopy one set of the pages. Each group will use only a few pages.
- Globe of the Earth
- Art supplies accessible if needed
Procedure
Hold up the book and explain that it is a non-fiction book with a lot of interesting information about two places on the Earth. Instead of just reading the book place students in groups of three. Each group will be responsible for a few pages in the book. They must present the information to the rest of the class and include three questions for the class to answer about what they have learned.
Day One
AdvertisementRead the information on your assigned pages. Take notes on the important parts. Decide how you want to present the information. This could be done by creating a poster with facts, simply taking turns reading to the class, acting out a part with props or any other creative way.
Day Two
AdvertisementPrepare your presentation. Include three review questions. Use other sources such as encyclopedias or websites if necessary.
Day Three
AdvertisementPresent the material to the class. Can they answer the questions?
Group Assignments
- Pages 5-8 The Artic and Antarctic (Use a globe)
- Pages 9-11 Icebergs
- Pages 12-15, 28 Planes Traveling to the Poles
- Pages 16-19 Scientists Study
- Pages 20-21 Clothing
- Pages 22-23 Survival Outdoors
- Pages 24-27 Seasons
- Pages 29-30 Difference between the Poles
- Page 31 Why Study There?
Team Challenge
Gather the questions from each group. A few days after the presentations divide the class into two teams. Teams take turns answering the questions again. Which team remembers the most information?
References
- PBS: Life on the Ice
- Goodman, Susan E. Life on the Ice. Millbrook Press, 2006.
- National Geographic: This Man Will Spend 80 Days Walking Antarctica Alone
- National Geographic Kids: 10 Facts about the Arctic
