Arctic Animal Adventure
Click on this picture for more information on arctic animals
This week, you will go on an animal exploration through an Arctic Tundra. You will learn about 5 different animals who live in very cold climates like Antarctica. Two of these animals you probably know well, Penguins and Polar Bears. Another animal you may be familiar with, but think of them more as a fantastic character is that of the Caribou, you might remember them as Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. The other two animals you will learn about it the walrus and the sea otter. All of these animals are very special and unique to the cold climates. What do you already know? Let's go on an Arctic Adventure to find out more!
Imaginary Walk through an Arctic Tundra
click on the picture below to go on an adventure.
A long airplane trip and bus ride have finally brought you and your classmates to the tundra. It is summertime, but the air is cool and your warm coat feels nice. It is a good thing you brought your boots—the soil is soggy and your feet sink into the vegetation. What is the greenish gray stuff on the ground among the grasses? Someone picks up a piece of the stuff. Your guide tells the class that it is called reindeer moss. He also tells the class that it is not really a moss, but a lichen. Lichens are living things made up of a combination of an alga and a fungus. They are able to live in some very harsh environments. When you look closely at the reindeer lichen, you can see that it looks like
tiny reindeer antlers. Reindeer lichen is a favorite food of the caribou, a large, deerlike animal that is a relative of the reindeer. Suddenly everyone seems to be waving their arms and hands. A swarm of mosquitoes buzzes around your heads. It is hard to get away from these little biting insects. The guide gives everyone a pair of binoculars. In the distance an arctic fox chases an arctic hare. Both still have their brownish, summer fur coats. In winter their fur will turn white. The guide asks how having a white coloring would be helpful in the winter. Everyone raises a hand; they all know the answer. Using the binoculars, the class can see a large herd of caribou about a mile away. One of the class members nearly steps on a ptarmigan. It is a quail–like bird. It also has its summer coat of feathers and is hard to spot in the tundra grasses. The guide tells everyone to use the binoculars to look at a snowy owl sitting on top of an earthen mound, called a pingo. The owl is looking over the land for one of its favorite prey, the lemming, a small rodent that looks like a fat mouse. The bus arrives and the class leaves the tundra, glad to get away from the mosquitoes and the soggy ground, but happy to have seen some of the wonders of this fascinating land called the tundra.
tiny reindeer antlers. Reindeer lichen is a favorite food of the caribou, a large, deerlike animal that is a relative of the reindeer. Suddenly everyone seems to be waving their arms and hands. A swarm of mosquitoes buzzes around your heads. It is hard to get away from these little biting insects. The guide gives everyone a pair of binoculars. In the distance an arctic fox chases an arctic hare. Both still have their brownish, summer fur coats. In winter their fur will turn white. The guide asks how having a white coloring would be helpful in the winter. Everyone raises a hand; they all know the answer. Using the binoculars, the class can see a large herd of caribou about a mile away. One of the class members nearly steps on a ptarmigan. It is a quail–like bird. It also has its summer coat of feathers and is hard to spot in the tundra grasses. The guide tells everyone to use the binoculars to look at a snowy owl sitting on top of an earthen mound, called a pingo. The owl is looking over the land for one of its favorite prey, the lemming, a small rodent that looks like a fat mouse. The bus arrives and the class leaves the tundra, glad to get away from the mosquitoes and the soggy ground, but happy to have seen some of the wonders of this fascinating land called the tundra.
Get to know the Arctic along with Mrs. Frizzle and the gang of the Magic School Bus
watch the video here
Polar Bears Check out the San Diego Zoo Live Cam
Penguins check out this live penguin cam click here
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Sea Otters
Caribou
Walrus
Looking for a Walrus
(to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad")
We've been looking for a walrus
all the live long day.
We've been looking for a walrus
to come with us and play.
Walruses have lots of whiskers
and they're very fat.
Their food is on the ocean bottom
and they suck it up like that (SLURPING SOUND).
We've been looking for a walrus
in the Arctic Sea.
We've been looking for a walrus
so come and search with me.
Walruses walk with four flippers
over ice and snow.
When the want to go swimming
into the water they go. Splash!
(to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad")
We've been looking for a walrus
all the live long day.
We've been looking for a walrus
to come with us and play.
Walruses have lots of whiskers
and they're very fat.
Their food is on the ocean bottom
and they suck it up like that (SLURPING SOUND).
We've been looking for a walrus
in the Arctic Sea.
We've been looking for a walrus
so come and search with me.
Walruses walk with four flippers
over ice and snow.
When the want to go swimming
into the water they go. Splash!
Research and Activity Links!
http://www.brainpopjr.com/science/habitats/arctichabitats/grownups.weml#teachers - teacher activities about the arctic