Sea Ice Ecoregions

• This video details the four unique sea ice ecoregions in the Arctic and describes how they are changing and how those changes are affecting polar bears.
• Students will learn about the annual cycle of the ice in the Arctic Circle, how global warming is affecting this cycle, and why it is imperative that we stop this warming process.

Positives

• This video provides engaging video footage of polar bears in their natural habitat, in addition to other footage from the narrator's field work.
• This resource provides maps, charts, and graphs that help aid comprehension.

Additional Prerequisites

• While this video is primarily about sea ice ecoregions, it also addresses the dire situation for polar bears, which can be a very difficult topic for many students.

Differentiation

• Social studies or geography classes could complete maps showing the four sea ice ecoregions and plotting where they are located. Students could also discuss how this change in sea ice will affect the people who rely on the ice or permafrost for their survival.
• Biology, ecology, or environmental science classes could use this video as a hook for lessons about how the Arctic is changing, how additional shipping lanes or mining operations in the Arctic could affect habitats and wildlife, or predator-prey interactions, keystone species, and population dynamics.
  
• Art classes could use this watercolor painting as a conversation starter about the emotions evoked by habitat degradation in the Arctic.
• Consider using this resource to give students a deeper look at the risks posed by melting permafrost and coastal erosion.
• Polar Bears International has released other resources that might further student learning, including this polar bear tracker, this video about a GPS-tracked polar bear, and this mini-poster and fact sheet with more basic, introductory facts about polar bears.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.