Ursula

• This video highlights the life of a GPS-tracked polar bear named Ursula over several years as she cares for her babies, hunts for food on floating sea ice, travels in order to survive, and fasts for longer periods of time due to melting sea ice. 
• Students will learn about the immense challenges that polar bears face due to the climate crisis and get to see how this particular polar was able to raise two sets of cubs in the Arctic.
  

Positives

• The narrator in this video speaks articulately and slowly, making the video easy to follow. 
• While this video makes the polar bears' hardships very apparent, it is also hopeful. 

Additional Prerequisites

• This is an emotional video that highlights a specific polar bear, her cubs, and the difficulties that she faces, so prepare to provide students with opportunities to share their emotional reactions to this content. 

Differentiation

• Show students on a map where Ursula traveled and have them discuss in groups why this movement was necessary. 
• Provide students with opportunities to explore other resources from Polar Bears International including worksheets, additional videos, and a polar bear tracker. 
• Have students watch this short video about how climate change is impacting the Adélie penguin population in Antarctica and compare these impacts to the challenges faced by polar bears. 
• In a social studies class, consider showing students environmental murals such as "Footprint", "The Last Winter", and "On the Brink" and ask students to discuss human responsibility for wildlife. 
• Other resources on this topic include this mini-poster and fact sheet about polar bears and this animated video which provides a simple introduction to climate change. 

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