Animals of Polar Regions: Information

Pete & Barbara's Penguin Pages - Antarctica

Lots of educational information provided here. The index makes it simple to find the information needed and the information is provided in short snippets. This site is perfect for getting students started on a penguin research project or for a WebQuest or Track about penguins. The authors also will answer questions from students who have already read the material and who ask thoughtful questions. It's an opportunity to practice letter-writing skills and ask questions of an expert. Library media specialists will also appreciate the information they provide about good books on the topic.

Life Science Standard 5: Understands the structure and function of cells and organisms (animal features)
Life Science Standard 6: . Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment

The Antarctic Connection

Choose your animal and then scroll way down for short snippets of information on the different animals and birds. The nice thing about this information is they provide the same information for all the featured animals and birds. Thus, it is easy to use the information to construct concept maps. The slide show feature works only in certain browsers.

Life Science Standard 5: Understands the structure and function of cells and organisms (animal features)
Life Science Standard 6: . Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment

Seal Cam (Antarctic)

Describes the difficulty of photographing Weddell seals in their native habitat. You can see things from the seal's point of view in the movies provided along the left side of this site. Kids love these little movies!

Life Science Standard 5: Understands the structure and function of cells and organisms (animal features)
Life Science Standard 6: . Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment
Nature of Science Standard 11: Understands the nature of scientific knowledge

Animals of the Arctic

This beautiful site was designed and written by middle school students and is a masterpiece. The descriptions of the animals are complete and all provide similar information so the animals can be compared. The photographs are clear. It is a great site for students to use for research on Arctic Animals or to locate facts about an animal that is discussed in some story read by the class. This site also describes some activities to try in class.

Life Science Standard 5: Understands the structure and function of cells and organisms (animal features)
Life Science Standard 6: . Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment

Hinterland Who's Who - Polar Bear (Arctic)

Published by the Canadian Wildlife Service, this site provides accurate information about the Polar Bear. Note that similar information can be found on other animals of the Arctic by taking links on the left side of the page. Each article contains at least one graphic. This makes a good site for student research on Animals of the Arctic.

Life Science Standard 5: Understands the structure and function of cells and organisms (animal features)
Life Science Standard 6: . Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment

Adelie Penguins-Antarctic

Lots of good information for students grades 5-9 about this funny and amazing creature. At the bottom of the page is a sound file that allows you to hear the sounds made by these penguins. This site also provides links to similar pages on Emperor Penguins (again with sound), Killer whales, and Minke whales. A nice site for student research.

Life Science Standard 5: Understands the structure and function of cells and organisms (animal features)
Life Science Standard 6: . Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment

Research on Emperor Penguins - Antarctic

Wonderful online videos will help students, grades 2-9, learn more about how scientists study the habits of the Emperor penguin. Students in the lower grades will find the story of Snowflake, the rare white penguin, very interesting. The slides and movies are quite clear and beautiful and increase student interest in penguins.

Life Science Standard 6: . Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment
Nature of Science Standard 11: Understands the nature of scientific knowledge
Nature of Science Standard 12: Understands the nature of scientific inquiry

Cool Antarctica: Antarctic Wildlife

Appropriate for grades 4-9, the students can scroll down to see the common names and scientific names of many different types of wildlife. The links go to a page with a description of the animal, many graphics and answers to questions students may have about the animal. The descriptions are short and easy-to-read.

Life Science Standard 6: . Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment
Nature of Science Standard 11: Understands the nature of scientific knowledge
Nature of Science Standard 12: Understands the nature of scientific inquiry