Internet Resources
Click on the underlined links to view some of the many great websites that will help you explore the unique wildlife of Antarctica and the ecosystem of which they are part.
Search Engine
KIDCYBER
We have used this search engine throughout the year so you will be very familiar with its features. It has been designed to be relevant to the needs of primary school students with language and text that is easily understood. The site is easy to navigate and information easily located. It is ideal for student research tasks such as this and even includes an 'Ask a kidcyber Researcher' feature where students can request specific information about a topic.
Once you have opened KIDCYBER you may type in the terms located on the Key Words page or other key words of your own, to begin your search. BE SPECIFIC! For example, if you want information on the diet of the blue whale, then type in- blue whales diet. That way you will get links to websites that have the specific information you need. If you need a description of the Adelie penguin, type in- adelie penguin description.
We have used this search engine throughout the year so you will be very familiar with its features. It has been designed to be relevant to the needs of primary school students with language and text that is easily understood. The site is easy to navigate and information easily located. It is ideal for student research tasks such as this and even includes an 'Ask a kidcyber Researcher' feature where students can request specific information about a topic.
Once you have opened KIDCYBER you may type in the terms located on the Key Words page or other key words of your own, to begin your search. BE SPECIFIC! For example, if you want information on the diet of the blue whale, then type in- blue whales diet. That way you will get links to websites that have the specific information you need. If you need a description of the Adelie penguin, type in- adelie penguin description.
Websites
Remember to take notes in your own words and ALWAYS keep a list of the websites and books you have taken information or images from.Click on the What's Your Source worksheet we used in class for help. The Information Skills Process also reminds you to check-
How relevant is the information I have found? How credible is the information I have found? What information can I leave out?
1. Antarctic Wildlife: Animals, Plants, Micro-organisms
http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/wildlife
This website is easy to navigate and is suited to most readers. Look at the menu on the left to and browse through the different Antarctic and sub Antarctic animals, as well as the plants and micro-organisms that survive in this harsh environment. Clicking on the names of each species will allow you access to detailed information that will assist in the defining of which animal or plant to research. Think about what you already know and what you would like to find out about your chosen topic.
2. Adaption to Cold:
http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/fact-files/animals/adapting-to-the-cold__
This site will introduce you to the ways in which the animals of Antarctica have adapted in order to survive in this freezing environment. By clicking on the animal of your choice you will be taken directly to more specific information. A detailed article about the Emperor penguin is featured, showing how they have adapted their physical characteristics and their behaviour to ensure they can continue to survive and breed in such terrible conditions.
3. Crittercams: Virtual World: Antarctica
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/crittercam-virtual-world-antarctica/
National Geographic Crittercams are used by scientists to study the behaviour of animals without interference by humans. They are designed to be worn by wild animals so that video and sounds may be recorded allowing scientists to study animal behaviour. They also enable web users like us to be in the virtual world of Antarctica. Choose an animal and view their world looking through the lens of a Crittercam. Move your mouse around in search of the different animals. Click on each animal as you see them, to get more information about them and take notes about what you have discovered.
4. Who is eating who? Food from the freezer.
http://www.discoveringantarctica.org.uk/4_whos_eating.php
This is a fun interactive website about the Antarctic food web. Just follow the prompts to explore each heading on the left hand side of the page. Click on the Antarctic food to discover who is eating whom. Find out where your chosen animal comes in the food chain. This information may be useful as you explain the interdependence of wildlife in Antarctica. Hint: Hover your mouse over the animal's name to get a short simple description of its role in the food chain.
5. Cool Antarctica: Antarctic Animals
http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/antarctica_animal.htm
With amazing images and easily navigated links to information about the diverse wildlife found in Antarctica, this website is a valuable and entertaining source of information for your research task. Click on the links at the top of the page or on the images to find information and images you may be able to use. The question and answer format makes it very easy to decide if it is in fact, the type of informaion you need. Be aware of copyright and ask your teacher or librarian if you are not sure if you are able to use them.There is a comprehensive fact file as well as short videos on many aspects of Antarctica that will be very handy for your research.
6. British Antarctic Survey: Antarctic Wildlife
http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/about_antarctica/wildlife/index.php
If you are a confident reader, this site will provide detailed information on land animals, marine (sea) animals including krill and shrimp, birds and plant life in Antarctica. Click one of the links from the menu on the left to be taken to very detailed facts and figures about Antarctica. Make sure you understand any information you gather and are able to rewrite it in your own words.
7. Discovering Antarctic :Wilderness Challenge
http://www.discoveringantarctica.org.uk/multimedia/flash/1_wilderness.html
This is a fun way to end your research before you begin to organise your information and complete your task. Enjoy taking part in this fun and challenging interactive quiz that will test your knowledge and understanding about the different animals you have been reading about as you conduct your research task. Use this quiz to evaluate what you have learnt about the topic so far and discover what you may have to gain more information about. Will you complete the wilderness challenge?
Now you are reading for the next steps in the Information Skills Process- Organising, Presenting and Assessing.
Check your Task worksheet and good luck!
How relevant is the information I have found? How credible is the information I have found? What information can I leave out?
1. Antarctic Wildlife: Animals, Plants, Micro-organisms
http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/wildlife
This website is easy to navigate and is suited to most readers. Look at the menu on the left to and browse through the different Antarctic and sub Antarctic animals, as well as the plants and micro-organisms that survive in this harsh environment. Clicking on the names of each species will allow you access to detailed information that will assist in the defining of which animal or plant to research. Think about what you already know and what you would like to find out about your chosen topic.
2. Adaption to Cold:
http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/fact-files/animals/adapting-to-the-cold__
This site will introduce you to the ways in which the animals of Antarctica have adapted in order to survive in this freezing environment. By clicking on the animal of your choice you will be taken directly to more specific information. A detailed article about the Emperor penguin is featured, showing how they have adapted their physical characteristics and their behaviour to ensure they can continue to survive and breed in such terrible conditions.
3. Crittercams: Virtual World: Antarctica
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/crittercam-virtual-world-antarctica/
National Geographic Crittercams are used by scientists to study the behaviour of animals without interference by humans. They are designed to be worn by wild animals so that video and sounds may be recorded allowing scientists to study animal behaviour. They also enable web users like us to be in the virtual world of Antarctica. Choose an animal and view their world looking through the lens of a Crittercam. Move your mouse around in search of the different animals. Click on each animal as you see them, to get more information about them and take notes about what you have discovered.
4. Who is eating who? Food from the freezer.
http://www.discoveringantarctica.org.uk/4_whos_eating.php
This is a fun interactive website about the Antarctic food web. Just follow the prompts to explore each heading on the left hand side of the page. Click on the Antarctic food to discover who is eating whom. Find out where your chosen animal comes in the food chain. This information may be useful as you explain the interdependence of wildlife in Antarctica. Hint: Hover your mouse over the animal's name to get a short simple description of its role in the food chain.
5. Cool Antarctica: Antarctic Animals
http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/antarctica_animal.htm
With amazing images and easily navigated links to information about the diverse wildlife found in Antarctica, this website is a valuable and entertaining source of information for your research task. Click on the links at the top of the page or on the images to find information and images you may be able to use. The question and answer format makes it very easy to decide if it is in fact, the type of informaion you need. Be aware of copyright and ask your teacher or librarian if you are not sure if you are able to use them.There is a comprehensive fact file as well as short videos on many aspects of Antarctica that will be very handy for your research.
6. British Antarctic Survey: Antarctic Wildlife
http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/about_antarctica/wildlife/index.php
If you are a confident reader, this site will provide detailed information on land animals, marine (sea) animals including krill and shrimp, birds and plant life in Antarctica. Click one of the links from the menu on the left to be taken to very detailed facts and figures about Antarctica. Make sure you understand any information you gather and are able to rewrite it in your own words.
7. Discovering Antarctic :Wilderness Challenge
http://www.discoveringantarctica.org.uk/multimedia/flash/1_wilderness.html
This is a fun way to end your research before you begin to organise your information and complete your task. Enjoy taking part in this fun and challenging interactive quiz that will test your knowledge and understanding about the different animals you have been reading about as you conduct your research task. Use this quiz to evaluate what you have learnt about the topic so far and discover what you may have to gain more information about. Will you complete the wilderness challenge?
Now you are reading for the next steps in the Information Skills Process- Organising, Presenting and Assessing.
Check your Task worksheet and good luck!