Teaching Tools about Polar Bears and Climate Change

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Use this toolkit to explore, analyze, and discuss the role human impact and climate change play on the future of polar bears and the Arctic. These resources are geared towards students in grades 3-5 and can be used in any learning environment.

Background Resources for Educators

This resource guide and interactive classroom presentation are designed to give you all the information you need to teach your students about polar bears and climate change. These resources provide fun polar bear facts, and information around why they matter, what threats they face, what WWF is doing to help polar bears and the Arctic, and what kids can do.

  • Educator's Resource Guide

    Educator's Resource Guide

  • Polar Bear Classroom Presentation

    Polar Bear Classroom Presentation

Learning Activities

  • Science

    Climate Trackers

    Students will gain an understanding of how much is affected when climate is altered, both in their own environment and society and in the Arctic, by observing patterns and creating climate timelines.

  • Language Arts

    My Day on Patrol

    After reading an excerpt from the diary of a polar bear patrol team member, students will create a journal entry imagining they are a part of the team protecting polar bears and people.

  • Science

    What's the Connection?

    Through cause-and-effect modeling, students will learn how their daily uses of energy are connected to the future of polar bears.

  • Arctic Defense Team

    Students will practice democratic leadership and responsibility by working together to create a powerful argument on why drilling in the Arctic should be prohibited.

  • Physical Education

    Polar Bear Freeze

    This polar bear-themed twist on a classic game allows students to understand the requirements and struggles of polar bears trying to catch a meal and stay alive.

  • Arts Education

    Paw to Paw

    Students learn about adaptations while creating plaster handprint models, comparing their own to that of the polar bear paw print.

Printables

  • Polar Bear Posters (8.5x11)

    Polar Bear Posters (8.5x11)

  • Polar Bear Posters (11x17)

    Polar Bear Posters (11x17)

  • Polar Bear Word Puzzle

    Polar Bear Word Puzzle

  • Certificate of Achievement

    Certificate of Achievement

Polar Bear and Climate Change Video Playlist

We've compiled the following playlist of polar bear and climate change-related videos to compliment the activities within the Polar Bear Toolkit. For more educational videos and Q&A sessions with our experts, subscribe to WWF's Wild Classroom YouTube channel.

Learn how scientist study polar bears with Tumble Science Podcast For Kids, and the episode, "The Polar bear Adventure."

More polar bear resources

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