Program Description
These video chapters explore life and adaptation in the Arctic. The arctic region is too cold for farming; for example, temperatures may rise above freezing just a few weeks a year. Consequently, the soil remains frozen in a permafrost condition. As for inhabitants, aboriginals live here—the Inuit and Amer-Indians are the primary inhabitants of the Arctic region. While they have modern homes and conveniences, many of the Inuit and Amer-Indians choose to hunt seal, fish, and other animals.
Objectives
After viewing these videos, students will be able to:
- Compare and analyze societal patterns for preserving and transmitting culture while adapting to environmental or social change
- Understand an organism’s behavior evolves through adaptation to its environment
- Understand that populations of organisms can be categorized by the function they serve in an ecosystem
Videos
The Lives of Polar Bears (02:17)
Polar bears have special physical and behavioral adaptations, which help them survive in such an extreme environment.
The Arctic Region (01:26)
The Arctic Region of Canada is home to the Inuit people, a harsh climate, and wildlife.
Classroom Connections
- Every creature—both human and animal—on the planet possesses physical features that aid in survival. The polar bear, for example, has a very unique nose that allows it to hunt and provide food for itself and its children.
Divide into five groups—each group taking a sense: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. Determine in your group how your chosen sense allows you to adapt to different environments quickly and efficiently. Be prepared to share your results with your class.
- The Inuit and Amer-Indians have populated the Arctic for centuries; they are indigenous to the region. Conduct research on the Inuit and Amer-Indians so that you may know who they are and how they live. Learn about their history, their culture, their observances, their daily living. You may divide into groups to conduct your research; you may include images, articles, and video segments in your findings. When you have completed your research, present your results to your class. Be sure to include in the presentation what you found most interesting.
Vocabulary
Aboriginal
: 1: being the first or earliest known of its kind present in a region <aboriginal forests> <aboriginal rocks>
2 a: of or relating to aborigines b: often capitalized
Inuit:
1): the Eskimo people of North America and Greenland (2): the Eskimo people of Canada b: a member of such people
2 a: ESKIMO
2 b: the group of Eskimo dialects spoken from northwestern Canada to Greenland
Amer-Indian:
A member of any of the aboriginal peoples of the western hemisphere except often the Eskimos; especially: an American
Indian of North America and especially the United States
Ring Seal:
Lives in the Arctic year round; light grey with black spots with small heads and large bodies; the black spots have lighter
rings around
them; they can remain under water for extended periods; can detect movement even when under the water and ice
Caribou:
A large gregarious deer (Rangifer tarandus) of Holarctic taiga and tundra that usually has palmate antlers in both sexes—used especially for one of the New World—called also reindeer
Ptarmigan:
Any of various grouses (genus Lagopus) of northern regions with completely feathered feet
Arctic Fox:
A small migratory Holarctic fox (Alopex lagopus) especially of coastal arctic and alpine tundra
Turbinate bone:
Shaped like a top or an inverted cone: one of usually several thin plicated membrane-covered bony or cartilaginous
plates on the walls of the nasal chambers
Olfactory receptors:
of or relating to the sense of smell
Content Provider
Discovery Education
Discovery Education offers a breadth and depth of digital media content that is immersive, engaging and brings the world into the classroom to give every student a chance to experience fascinating people, places, and events. All content is aligned to state standards, can be aligned to custom curriculum, and supports classroom instruction regardless of the technology platform.
Whether looking for a digital media library service, an implementation to help you transition your classroom to a 21st century environment or to move completely to replace textbooks with digital resources, Discovery Education offers a continuum of solutions to meet your district's specific needs. In addition, we offer real-time assessment services and a variety of professional development to ensure effective implementation in the classroom. You know your needs. We know our services. Together we can create an effective solution.
And, add the vast number of additional classroom instruction opportunities available such as virtual experiences, compelling Discovery talent, free lesson plans and materials, and a variety of contests and challenges and with Discovery Education teachers are truly able to give students opportunities to soar beyond the traditional textbook for endless possibilities.
