Polar bears and climate change
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.
Learning activities
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Lessons & activities
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.
Grade3-5SubjectsScience & STEMSocial studiesThemeClimate change -
Lessons & activities
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.
GradePreK-23-5SubjectsEnglish language artsSocial studiesThemeWildlife & biodiversityEcosystems & habitatsClimate changeSustainability & human impact -
Lessons & activities
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.
Grade3-5SubjectsScience & STEMSocial studiesThemeClimate change -
Lessons & activities
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.
Grade3-56-89-12SubjectsSocial studiesThemeEcosystems & habitatsSustainability & human impact -
Lessons & activities
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.
GradePreK-23-5SubjectsPhysical education -
Lessons & activities
Paw to Paw
Students learn about adaptations while creating plaster handprint models, comparing their own to that of the polar bear paw print.
Grade3-56-89-12SubjectsScience & STEMArts & craftsThemeWildlife & biodiversity
Storybook: Discover Churchill, Canada
Discover the polar bear capital of the world, Churchill, Canada, with this short, illustrated storybook! When printing, select double-sided. Then cut along the dotted lines, placing pages in numerical order. Staple along the left side and enjoy reading! Take the learning further with the accompanying STEAM guide, filled with hands-on activity ideas for students to explore the adaptations that help polar bears survive, what it is like to live in the Arctic, and how we can support wildlife and their habitats.
Printables
Multimedia resources
Polar bear and climate change 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.
Test your knowledge
Check out Wild Classroom's All About Polar Bears quiz and climate change course on Kahoot! Academy.
"The Polar Bear Adventure" podcast
Learn how scientist study polar bears with Tumble Science Podcast For Kids, and the episode, "The Polar Bear Adventure."
