These activities are based on the article ‘Amazing Adventures’ in issue twenty-four of Animal Planet magazine. There are opportunities to develop comprehension and writing skills using the resources provided.
Pupils will learn about famous explorers who have conquered the Arctic, Antarctic or both! The fascinating article shares information about five explorers: Roald Amundsen, Ann Bancroft, Børge Ousland, Edmund Hillary and Fridtjof Nansen. Find out where their adventures took them and interesting facts about these polar explorers.
After reading the text, pupils will complete tasks linked to the science and geography curriculums, locating the polar regions on maps and describing their characteristics, and exploring materials that would be appropriate to use as insulation for the clothing of polar explorers. Pupils will then use their knowledge of these regions to write about exploring them, either as a diary or a narrative. There is also the opportunity to write an explanation about why cold climate explorers must wear insulating clothes on their adventures. The resources could be linked to a topic on polar regions and could be used over a series of sessions in science, geography and English to create an inspiring set of lessons for pupils in Key Stage 2.
What is included in this KS2 resources pack?
- Copy of the Animal Planet article ‘Amazing Adventures’
- Comprehension question cards (with answer sheet)
- World map
- Polar regions images
- Scientific enquiry planning sheet
- How to write an explanation text poster (version 1 LKS2, version 2 UKS2)
- Explanation planning sheet
- Themed writing paper
- Teaching notes
What is Animal Planet magazine?
This pack has been created in association with Animal Planet magazine, which fuels curious minds, helps children make sense of the world and sparks joy on every page.
To find out more, and register your interest in a school subscription, visit the Animal Planet magazine website.
National Curriculum Programme of Study Links
READING
- Pupils should understand what they read by
– checking that the text makes sense to them, discussing their understanding and exploring the meaning of words in context.
– asking questions to improve their understanding of the text.
- Pupils should be taught how to retrieve, record and present information from non-fiction.
WRITING
- Pupils should plan their writing by discussing and recording ideas (years 5 and 6 also by drawing on research where necessary)
SCIENCE - working scientifically
- Year 3 / 4 – Pupils should be taught to set up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests.
- Year 5 / 6 – Pupils should be taught to plan different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions, including recognising and controlling variables where necessary.
GEOGRAPHY
- Pupils should be taught to:
– Locational knowledge – identify the position and significance of ... Arctic and Antarctic Circle...
– Human and physical geography – physical geography including climate zones..
– Geographical skills and fieldwork – use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe features studied