Lesson Plan - Explorers of Antarctica
1 September 1909 – Amundsen changes direction.
Learning outcomes
Students will:
- create a profile of an Antarctic explorer
- write a diary entry describing their feelings about an imagined attempt to reach the South Pole.
Focus Essential Learning Area
Social Studies:
- Place and Environment L2-5
- Time, Continuity, and Change L2-5
Integrating Essential Learning Area
English:
Written Language L2-5
Reading: Close reading: exploring language, processing information
Writing: Transactional writing; expressive writing; poetic writing: thinking critically; processing information
Activities
| 1. |
Exploring challenges
Antarctic explorers came up against many obstacles – sometimes even before they reached the Antarctic! They had to adapt to many situations to survive and achieve their goals. Read ‘Amundsen changes direction’ (available on this website). As a class, brainstorm the initial challenges that Amundsen faced.
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| 2. |
Explorer profile
Choose an Antarctic explorer to research and profile. Profiles can tell a story about a person’s life and highlight important people, places, and events. They can also look at struggles and successes.
Suggested explorers
Robert Falcon Scott – Discovery Expedition 1902, Terra Nova Expedition 1911–12
Ernest Shackleton – Nimrod Expedition 1907–09, Endurance Expedition 1914–17
Roald Amundsen – Fram Expedition 1911–12
- Who is your explorer?
- Where were they from?
- What was their family background, education, and career history?
- What kind of person were they?
- Why do you think they chose to be an explorer?
- When did they first go to Antarctica (or attempt to find Antarctica)?
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| 3. |
Diary account
You’ve just reached the South Pole. Write an account in your diary.
- How do you feel?
- What was it like getting there?
- Were you there first, or did someone beat you to it?
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Useful websites
www.south-pole.com/homepage.html
Stories from the ice – a range of Antarctic explorers
www.nmm.ac.uk/searchbin/searchs.pl?exhibit=it3575z&axis=1137536571&flash=true&dev
The crews of the Discovery 1901–04, Nimrod 1907–09, Endurance 1914–1916, and Terra Nova 1910–13
www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/history/pole-race2.shtml
The race between Amundsen and Scott to the South Pole
www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/claypoles/hist/scott.htm
