Lesson Plan - Amazing Voyages
24 April 1916 – The James Caird departs for South Georgia.
Learning outcomes
Students will:
- investigate the expeditions of Scott, Amundsen, and Shackleton to Antarctica
- use what they find out to plan their own Antarctic expedition.
Focus Essential Learning Area
Social Studies:
Place and Environment L2-5
Time, Continuity, and Change L2-5
Resources and Economic Activity L2-5
Integrating Essential Learning Areas
Technology:
Technological Knowledge and Understanding L1-4
Technological Capability L1-3
Technology and Society L1-4
English:
Written Language L2-4
Transactional writing: processing information; thinking critically
Activities
1. |
Expedition fact finding
In groups, research the expeditions of Scott, Amundsen, and Shackleton to Antarctica. Fill in a ‘fact finder’ table for each explorer.
| Name and details of explorer |
|
Name of expedition |
|
Dates and length of expedition |
|
Purpose of expedition |
|
Distance planned |
|
Actual distance covered |
|
Food |
|
Shelter |
|
Transport |
|
Clothing |
|
Other equipment |
|
Difficulties faced |
|
Present your findings back to the class.
- Discuss similarities and differences between the expeditions.
- What worked in the expeditions? What didn’t work?
- What would you do differently from what the explorers did?
|
2. |
Plan your expedition
Working in the same groups, use the information you gathered in Activity 1 to help plan your own expedition to Antarctica in 1915. You will need to consider the following questions:
- Where in Antarctica will you go and when?
- What will the length of your expedition be
- What is the purpose of your expedition?
- Think about the problems and difficulties you might face. How might you overcome these?
- What equipment will you need?
- How will you get to Antarctica? How will you travel once you’re there?
- How will you pay for the voyage?
- Remember that you’ll need food, shelter, clothing, maps – and physical fitness.
Fill in a ‘fact finder’ table with the details of your journey. Share your expedition plans with the class. Develop a class checklist for people going on an Antarctic expedition in 1915. |
Useful websites
www.nmm.ac.uk/searchbin/searchs.pl?exhibit=it3420z&axis=1137538973&flash=true&dev
Shackleton’s rescue of his crew
www.south-pole.com/homepage.html
The expeditions of Scott, Amundsen, and Shackleton to Antarctica
www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/history/pole-race2.shtml
The race between Scott and Amundsen to the South Pole
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