LLeeaarrnn M
Moorree
Find out about the first
people to explore Antarctica. Add another
circle to the web to show what you learned.
Name _______________________________________________________________
16
Tr y T h i s !
Antarctic Facts
Read the passage about the Antarctic. Then fill in the web with facts
from the passage. Include at least three facts for each heading.
Antarctica is the continent at the
South Pole. Antarctica is surrounded
by three oceans—the
Atlantic, Pacific,
and Indian. It is the fifth largest conti-
nent and the coldest place on Earth.
Because it is below the equator, winter
in Antarctica takes place when it is
summer in the United States. Metal
shatters like glass in the brutal Antarc-
tic winter. Temperatures drop to 120
below zero; a person without the right
clothing would freeze solid in just a few
minutes. Winds gusting up to 200 miles
per hour come screaming down the ice,
tearing into the piles of snow.
With the exception of a few insects,
Antarctica
has no animal life on its
land. However, penguins, seals,
whales, krill, and seabirds thrive in the
oceans around the continent. Likewise,
few plants besides mosses grow on the
ice-covered land of Antarctica.
No people live permanently on this
continent, but Antarctica is known for
its scientific stations. Many nations,
including the U.S., Chile, Norway,
Great Britain, and Australia have large
research
centers where scientists
study earthquakes, gravity, oceans,
and weather conditions.
ANTARCTIC
Location
1. ________________
2. ________________
3. ________________
Climate
1. ________________
2. ________________
3. ________________
Wildlife
1. ________________
2. ________________
3. ________________
Science
1. ________________
2. ________________
3. ________________
81 Fresh & Fun Critical-Thinking Activities © Laurie Rozakis, Scholastic Teaching Resources