“The Arctic and Antarctica: Are They the Same or Different?” 2008. Jessica Fries-Gaither.

This informational article, written in compare/contrast format, provides a 1-2 page opportunity for students to read and learn about the two polar regions. Two versions are available for each grade level: text only, or a foldable book. The grades 1-2 version has a Flesch-Kincaid Reading Level of 2.4, and the grades 3-5 version has a 4.7.

Notes for assembling the books:

You can put these books together a couple of different ways. You can print out the pages, cut them in half and then order the pages back to front. Fold the stack in half and then staple the spine of the book. Pairs of pages can then be stapled or glued along the right edge.

You can also assemble the books as a foldable book. To assemble the book this way, follow the directions for your desired grade level.

Grades 1-2: Print the two pages and align the document pages so that the following book page numbers are in the lower right-hand corner: front page and page 4. (The cover page should be on top and page 4 on the bottom). Set your copier to copy single pages into double pages and run the two pages in the order specified. Cut along the dotted line in the center of the double-sided page, place the book pages in order, fold, and staple along the spine.

Grades 3-5: Print the four pages and align the document pages so that the following book page numbers are in the lower right-hand corner: front page, page 6, page 2, and page 4. (The cover page should be on top and page 4 on the bottom). Set your copier to copy single pages into double pages and run the four pages in the order specified. Cut along the dotted line in the center of the two double-sided pages, place the book pages in order, fold, and staple along the spine.

Content Clips is an interactive web environment designed to help K-12 teachers supplement their curriculum with compelling online resources and activities. By creating a free account, you can save resources and activities (such as the electronic books) to your own collection. You can also create your own interactive activities to use in your classroom. If you follow the links to the electronic books listed above, you will enter the site as a guest and will not be able to save them to your own collection. If you wish to save these stories in your own collection, create an account, login, and then search for “The Arctic and Antarctica: Are They the Same, or Different?”

North Pole South Pole. Nancy Smiler Levinson. 2002. Picture book. Recommended ages: K-grade 2.

Beginning readers can find a clear and concise discussion of the differences between the poles in this introduction to the geography, climate, and inhabitants of the top and the bottom of our world.

Life on the Ice. Susan E. Goodman. 2006. Picture book. Recommended ages: grades 3-5.

The photographs in the book take readers on a tour of the world’s ice landscapes, primarily Antarctica. The pages are filled with large photographs; the text is in large black type on a white background; and sidebars are set in blue ink. The book discusses the nature of the extreme climate, the planes that fly there, the scientists who study it, and what it takes to live in this environment.

Survivor’s Science at the Polar Regions. Peter D. Riley. 2005. Nonfiction book. Recommended ages: grades 3-5.

This book compares and contrasts the polar regions in terms of weather; clothes you would need to wear; plants and animals; ice, water, and snow; travel; and seasons. Each topic includes a hands-on activity suitable for use in a classroom or as at-home enrichment. The book includes a glossary and an index.

Way Up in the Arctic.Jennifer Ward. 2007. Picture book. Recommended ages: preK-grade 1.

This counting book explores the Arctic environment and the mothers and baby animals that call the region home. The bright, colorful illustrations complement the rhythmic text, which can also be sung to the tune of “Over the Meadow.” Related facts about each species are included at the end of the book.

Land of Dark, Land of Light: The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Karen Pandell. 1993. Picture book. Recommended ages: K-grade 2.

Clear, full-color photos show the eerie beauty of the Arctic wilderness and its inhabitants. The spare, lyrical text is accessible to young audiences, and the appendix provides scientific names and information about the habits of the animals depicted. Excellent word choice could provide an opportunity for teachers to introduce new vocabulary during a read-aloud.

Habitats: Arctic Tundra.Michael H. Forman. 1997. Nonfiction picture book. Recommended ages: grades 2-4.

With clearly written paragraphs and color photographs on every page, this book is suitable for students ready to move beyond picture books but not quite ready for a traditional chapter book. The text explores all aspects of the tundra biome, including seasonal changes in sunlight, geological features, and plant and animal life.

Enchantment of the World: Greenland. Jean F. Blashfield. 2005. Nonfiction chapter book. Recommended ages: grades 3-5.

This book describes the geography, history, culture, industry, and people of Greenland. Photographs on almost every page paint a picture of the life of the people who live on the world’s largest island, one that is mostly north of the Arctic Circle. A timeline, fast facts, and index are included. This book would be best used as a reference source for individual students or small groups.

Polar Bear, Arctic Hare: Poems of the Frozen North. Eileen Spinelli. 2007. Poetry and picture book. Recommended ages: grades K-5.

The poems and colorful illustrations in this book could be used with all elementary students. Younger students will enjoy listening to the poems as an engaging introduction to the animals and environment of the Arctic. Upper-elementary students can use these poems as a springboard for writing their own poetry.

Our Amazing Continents: Hooray for Antarctica! April Pulley Sayre. 2003. Picture book. Recommended ages: K-grade 2.

This book uses photographs to introduce the continent of Antarctica, looking at its geography, plant and animal life, weather, and human exploration. While the simple, concise main ideas make this appealing to primary graders, the additional detail found on most pages makes this book appropriate for students in upper-elementary as well.

Antarctica: Geography of the World. Dana Meachen Rau. 2004. Nonfiction chapter book. Recommended ages: grades 3-5.

This chapter book introduces the geography, topography, climate, flora, and fauna of the continent of Antarctica. The expository text is similar in style to what is found in an elementary textbook, but the pictures and the spacing of the text make this more engaging. Each chapter begins with a question, making this book an excellent opportunity to practice questioning strategies such as SQ3R.

Antarctica: The Atlas of the Seven Continents. Wendy Vierow. 2004. Nonfiction book. Recommended ages: grades 3-5.

Each two-page spread of this nonfiction book discusses a discrete topic about Antarctica. The book contains a large number of maps and atlas projections with explanations of the history of the continent, the climate, plants and animals, the natural resources, and the history of exploration. Also included are a glossary and an index. The paragraphed, expository-style text could provide an introduction to research projects, organizing information, and expository writing. The ability to project text on a screen could make this book more accessible for whole-class use.

Antarctic Ice. Jim Mastro and Norbert Wu. 2003. Nonfiction picture book. Recommended ages: grades 3-5.

Color photographs and paragraphed, expository text describe the marine life of Antarctica throughout the changing seasons. The book’s authors include the microscopic phytoplankton and other marine organisms that are often overlooked in favor of penguins, whales, and seals.

The Emperor Lays an Egg. Brenda Z. Guiberson. 2001. Picture book. Recommended ages: K-grade 2.

The illustrations provide a beautiful backdrop to this informational text about the extreme conditions in which emperor penguins live and reproduce. In addition to providing rich content, the book could be used as the springboard for an art activity. After reading the book, students could research and paint a polar animal of their choice.

A Pair of Polar Bears: Twin Cubs Find a Home at the San Diego Zoo. Joanne Ryder. 2006. Picture book. Recommended ages: K-grade 2.

Orphaned polar bears are the stars of this engaging book that chronicles their growth and development at the San Diego Zoo. Only three months old when they first arrived there, Kalluk and Tatqiq are shown adjusting to their new home in large, full-color photographs. The book can be used to introduce students to zoos’ involvement in conservation and wildlife management.