Antarctica – literacy learning links
This teacher resource lists selected articles from the Connected and School Journal reading series that support the science concepts when teaching about Antarctica.
Connected and School Journal resources are produced for New Zealand primary and intermediate schools by the Ministry of Education. They are available to New Zealand schools in print and digital form (use the search function in the Literacy (inc. Instructional Series) section of the Tāhūrangi website.
Connected and School Journal titles and synopses
Science Learning Hub resources supported by the titles
Captured in Ice by Veronika Meduna, Connected Level 3 2017
Glaciologist Nancy Bertler collects ice cores to learn how Earth’s climate has changed over time.
Antarctica and global climate change
The Big Chill and the Big Drill by Rupert Alchin, Connected Level 1 and 2 2008
ANDRILL scientists drill into the Antarctic seabed to learn about Antarctica’s climate and how it has changed from ancient times.
Antarctica and global climate change
Who’s Eating Who? By Bronwen Wall, Connected Level 4 2012
The article covers Antarctic food webs and animal adaptations for life in an icy ecosystem. (Includes teacher support material.)
Activity idea Making a food web
An Ecologist on Ice by Matt Vance, Connected Number 4 2013
Phil Lyver is a wildlife ecologist who studies Adélie penguin population dynamics and the marine ecosystem in the Ross Sea. Phil uses the same data-recording systems as Dr Amy Whitehead, featured in the Nigel Latta in Antarctica video series. (Includes teacher support material.)
Gather Your Data by Rex Bartholomew, Connected Number 4 2013
This article explains the functions and uses of data loggers and tags. (Includes teacher support material.)
59.5 Degrees South by Sarah Wilcox, School Journal Level 3 August 2013
This article provides information on Argo floats. These devices measure ocean currents, temperature and salinity. The article also references the Antarctic Circumpolar Current – without the need for Nigel’s pizza sauce. (Includes teacher support material.)
Frozen Food by Philippa Werry, School Journal Part 4 Number 1 2006
Read about what it is like to be a chef in Antarctica, where most of the food is delivered once a year.
Voyage to the Cold South by Emily Sendall, School Journal Part 1 Number 4 1994
The author went with her parents on a voyage across the Southern Ocean to Antarctica. This article contains diary excerpts and photos.
Activity idea Compare the author’s diary entries with weekly blog posts from those who sailed on the research ship Tangaroa. Record similarities and differences between these two journeys – 25 years apart.
Time Capsule in the Antarctic by Kim Westerov, School Journal Part 1 Number 3 1991
A short article about Ernest Shackleton’s 1908 hut. The article contains detailed photos of the hut’s contents.
Look closely at the labels on the food tins. What kinds of food did the explorers eat?
Compare these food items with the foods and meals mentioned in Frozen Food (School Journal Part 4 Number 1 2006).
Southern Quest by Stephen Broni, School Journal Part 4 Number 1 1990
Shipwrecked in Pack Ice by Stephen Broni, School Journal Part 4 Number 2 1990
Leaving it Clean by Stephen Broni, School Journal Part 4 Number 3 1990
These three articles retell a 1985 adventure to retrace Scott’s route to the South Pole. Stephen Broni and others erected a hut in Cape Evans. They became shipwrecked but refused to leave until the crew was able to dismantle the hut, leaving no trace.
Activity ideas Compare Stephen Broni’s adventures with that of Robert Scott and his crew.
Compare Stephen Broni’s experiences with those currently working at Scott Base, including:
preparation prior to departure
survival training in Antarctica
clothing and gear
attitude towards the environment.
Related content
Weather – literacy learning links contains a selection of weather-related articles from the Connected and School Journal series, along with supporting Hub resources.
Useful links
Connected uses contextual issues to promote scientific, technological and mathematical literacy, search. Got to the the Literacy (inc. Instructional Series) section of the Tāhūrangi website and search by title or "Connected".
School Journal supports students in years 4–8 to meet the reading demands of all New Zealand curriculum areas.
The Connected and School Journal teacher support materials are accessed through the Journal Surf website. A subscription login is required.
The Connected journals can be ordered from the Down the Back of the Chair website. Access to these resources is restricted to Ministry-approved education providers. To find out if you are eligible for a login or if you have forgotten your login details, contact their customer services team on 0800 660 662 or email orders@thechair.education.govt.nz.
Returning to a green Antarctica is a comic by Simone Giovanardi and Bella Duncan. It explains why Antarctica once looked more like South Island’s West Coast beech forests than the frozen continent we know today.
