Frozen Oceans

Geography | Ages 11-14

  1. 1. Northern exposures
  2. 2. The Arctic Ocean
  3. 3. Life beneath the ice
  4. 4. Lessons from the deep
  5. 5. A warming world?
  6. 6. Heading home
  7. 7. The next chapter

The Arctic Ocean

Part of:

AXA Ocean Education

Lesson overview

The Arctic Ocean is one of the least understood regions on the planet. This lesson introduces students to the region and provides a background to the physical characteristics of this frozen ocean. Students will develop their geographical literacy skills through a piece of extended writing.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the importance of Arctic sea ice
  • Use GIS to view and analyse places
  • Describe the Arctic Ocean
  • Write an extended description of the Arctic Ocean
  • Understand the importance of Arctic sea ice

Lesson steps

  1. Arctic sea ice (10 mins)
    Using the NSIDC Sea ice extent Google Earth file, students discover more about the Arctic Ocean and its defining features – snow and ice.
  2. Arctic Ocean true or false (10 mins)
    Students take a quick-fire quiz to find out how much they know about the Arctic Ocean. These geographical facts will help them with their extended writing later in the lesson.
  3. Arctic Ocean blog (30 mins)
    Students take on the role of the expedition communications manager and are tasked with writing a blog post about the Arctic Ocean. A writing frame supports their development of geographical literacy. Outstanding blog posts will be published on the Encounter EDU website.
  4. Review learning (10 mins)
    Students reflect through a plenary discussion and consider what they think all young people should know about the Arctic Ocean.