This "Theme Page" has links to two types of resources related to the study of Arctic. Students and teachers will find curricular resources (information, content...) to help them learn about this topic. In addition, there are also links to instructional materials (lesson plans) that will help teachers provide instruction in this theme. Please read our disclaimer.

Animals of the Arctic

This ThinkQuest Junior site has good articles on a dozen animals found in the arctic.

Antarctic Theme Page

See this CLN theme page for resources on polar studies - but with a focus on the Antarctic.

Archaeology in Arctic North America

An overview of some archaeology research recently undertaken in the north. The focus of the research is to understand the origins and migration of different Inuit-Eskimo groups. The site also reports on the unique challenges of conducting the research in Canada's High Arctic regions.

About Arctic Animals

Over a dozen links to sites with information about animals living in the arctic region.

Arctic Circle

A comprehensive site presenting many concerns from Alaska's north. It offers information on aspects of Alaska's Natural Resources, History and Culture, Social Equity and Environmental Justice plus much more.

Arctic Explorer

The Surface Heat Budget of the Arctic Ocean - Joint Ocean Ice Studies (SHEBA-JOIS) is a special project to gather information helping scientists understand how arctic air, sea, and ice interact to affect the global environment and to understand arctic ecosystems.

• Arctic Life Small descriptions for Arctic Wolves, Polar Bears, Musk Oxen, Gulls and Walrus.
  
• Photograph Gallery See photos of the Science Village, the icebreaker, and the icy airstrip.
  
• Polar Bear Fact Sheet Provides an overview of the issues regarding the Polar Bear's life cycle.
  
• Quiz
  Try the on-line quiz about Arctic issues.
  
• Ship to Shore: A Personal Story Read the logs kept by one of the Department of Fisheries scientists working on the project.

Arctic Studies Centre

The Smithsonian's Arctic Studies Center is dedicated to the study of northern peoples, their history and environment and offers a variety of virtual exhibits.

Arctic Wildlife Portfolio

"Biologist Doug Siegel-Causey shares his knowledge and special insights about this icy world and it's [sic] inhabitants." The site is divided into the following sections:

• Arctic Wildlife Glossary More than 10 Arctic terms defined.
  
• Birds Includes pages for: Albatross, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Ptarmigan, Puffin, and Snowy Owl.
  
• Mammals Information on: Arctic Fox, Caribou and Reindeer, Lemming, Musk Ox.
  
• Polar Pairs A Java based game of concentration using pictures of Arctic wildlife for students to match.
  
• Sea Mammals Links to: Beluga Whale, Orca, Polar Bear, Sea Otter, Seals, Walrus

Biome Investigation

Students use science process and research skills to investigate the six biomes of the world. These activities are designed to enhance an integrated unit on biomes through the use of visual resources.

Canadian Museum of Civilization: First Peoples Hall and Archeology Hall

Some of the features of this site include: Native People, Emergence, the Haida, and Inuit 3D, which requires downloading a Virtual Reality plug-in.

Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF)

CAFF is a cooperative environmental protection program adopted by Canada, Denmark/Greenland, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States Scientific documents on habitat and species conservation. Their goals are to protect, conserve and restore the Arctic environment, conserve Arctic flora and fauna, and address the special role of the indigenous people of the Arctic in pursuit of these goals. Note: the scientific documents within the site would not be appropriate for younger students.

Naming the Islands of Canada's Arctic

Discover how each of the northern Arctic islands received their names.

Not Alone on the Ice

Intermediate/junior high students test the insulating properties of various materials while designing a South Pole research station in this 10 period teaching unit from the National Science Foundation. Although Antarctica is the focus, the content should be generalizable to polar regions in general.

Nunatsiaq News

The Nunatsiaq News web site features the Nunavut and Nunavik editions of Nunatsiaq News, all rolled into one.

Polar Connections: Exploring the World's Natural Laboratories

Elementary/junior high students assume the role of polar researchers in this collection of teaching/learning activities from the National Science Foundation.

Polar Continental Shelf Project

This site from Natural Resources Canada has links to Animals, Plants, Humans, Geography, a Photo Gallery, and an interactive Quiz to text your knowledge.

[The] Siberian Arctic

Through this lesson plan from National Geographic, high school students will learn about: the habitats of northwestern Siberia; reindeer and their role in biodiversity; oil and natural gas reserves and the environmental consequences of tapping these resources; and threatened regions elsewhere in the Arctic.

Note: The sites listed above will serve as a source of curricular content in Arctic study. For other resources in Socials Studies (e.g., curricular content), or for lesson plans and theme pages, click the "previous screen" button below. Or, click here if you wish to return directly to the CLN menu, which will give you access to educational resources in all of our subjects.