Top of the World Unit Plan

Learn about the geography of the Arctic, at the top of the world, and discover what makes this region unique.

Role of the Unit

Explore the fascinating geography of the Arctic—a diverse region of land and sea ice—through this integrated unit.

Lesson Plan

Top of the World Lesson

This lesson plan for grades 4-8 is a perfect introduction to a unit study on the Arctic. It focuses on the geography of the Arctic Circle, as well as the human and environmental characteristics of the Arctic region. It includes a pre-lesson, "The Arctic vs. Antarctica," a map of the Arctic Circle, and a "66 Degrees and Me!" table.

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All About Polar Bears

Other Resources

Tools:

  • Trends in Sea Ice Loss: This chart and video demonstrate the long-term trends in sea ice loss in the Arctic.

Become Inspired:

  • Live Cams: Take a tour of the polar bear’s world.

Videos

Sea Ice Ecoregions

Did you know that Arctic sea ice isn't all the same? Learn about the 4 Sea Ice Ecoregions and see how they relate to polar-bear populations. Then download and color in the Sea Ice Ecoregions handout below.

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