MARCH OF MARCH OF THE PENGUINSTHE PENGUINS

Creating a Guide to

Life in the Antarctic

IntroductionIntroduction

Welcome to the harsh climate of Antarctica. You are an emperor penguin who has just proudly brought a new baby penguin into the world. Though you have a strong will to survive, the dawn of a fierce blizzard is upon you. Your chance of survival is minimal. What will happen to your new chick if you are not here to protect him? It is up to you to prepare him for the life ahead.

TaskTaskYou have decided to create for him a life’s

guide…a step-by-step lesson to help him survive and thrive in this brutal land that you call home. In your “last lecture,” you will include:

• A rough map of the ecosystems of Antarctica:– (1) the waters near the continent, (2) the land, and (3) sea ice

offshore

• List of dangerous situations that he might face (weather/climate, predators, etc.) and how to overcome them (adaptations)

• Guide for travels (marching), meeting basic needs (ie; eating), and caring for his own young

Definition of Ecosystem

• a system formed by the interaction of living organisms with each other and with the physical and chemical factors of the environment in which they live

Your Procedure

• Using the computers do as much research on Emperor Penguins as you can.

• Find out about where they live, what they eat, and the adaptations that allow them to thrive in Antarctica.

• The more you know, the better off your chick will be!

Your Next StepsYour Next Steps1. Watch the movie, The March of the The March of the

PenguinsPenguins to gather information about your life as a penguin.

2. As you watch the movie, take notes on the note-taking guide to gather information for your chick’s “last lecture.”

3. Use your notes to prepare the “last lecture” for your chick. You may choose any format you wish…a letter, a PowerPoint presentation, a book or scrapbook, etc. Be as creative as you wish!

4. Present your “last lecture” to the class.

Your EvaluationYour EvaluationCATEGORY 3 2 1

Map of Antarctica Map of Antarctica Ecosystems Ecosystems

All ecosystems represented (water, land, ice) and all plants/animals present

All ecosystems represented (water, land, ice) but some plants/animals missing

Only 1 or 2 ecosystems represented; some plants/animals missing

List of Dangerous List of Dangerous Situations Situations

All dangerous situations from climate and predators included

A few dangerous situations from climate and predators included

Only 1 dangerous situation from climate or predators included

Adaptations Adaptations Adaptations addressed for every dangerous situation presented

Adaptations addressed for a few dangerous situations presented

Adaptations addressed for only 1 dangerous situation presented

Travels Travels All aspects of the Penguin March are included

A few aspects of the Penguin March are included

Only 1 aspect of the Penguin March is included

Meeting Basic Needs Meeting Basic Needs All aspects of meeting basic needs are included

A few aspects of meeting basic needs are included

Only 1 aspect of meeting basic needs is included

Caring for Young Caring for Young All aspects of caring for young are included

A few aspects of caring for young are included

Only 1 aspect of caring for young is included

"Last Lecture" product "Last Lecture" product Product is neat, meaningful, and creative

Product is somewhat neat, meaningful, and creative

Product shows few signs of neatness, meaning, and creativity

Presentation Presentation Presentation is well-rehearsed and knowledge of the topic is clear

Presentation is somewhat rehearsed, but knowledge of the topic is clear

Presentation is not rehearsed, and knowledge of the topic is scarce

ConclusionConclusion

Though we do hope that you survive the devastating blizzard, your chick is now prepared to live on his own if you do not make it. Antarctica is a difficult place to live…you have given him the tools and knowledge to have the best chance of survival.