Looking for a middle school social studies lesson on Antarctica geography and history? Antarctica Informational Text includes a digital and a printable format. The digital format is completely paperless (for use in Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Edge). The included printable format is a print-and-go version of the same eight nonfiction reading passages of about 130 words each (around 1,000 words altogether). Each brief informational passage is followed by three text-based questions (24 questions altogether). An answer key for all questions is included.


If you’re searching online for computer-based social studies lessons for your middle school (or homeschool) students, you’ve found them. This lesson resource about Antarctica is also included in the Continents set. Included:

• Digital format: In this format, students can type directly into the file and save their answers. Stunning and compelling images of Antarctica are built in. (PDF, 19 pages)

• Full digital answer key. (PDF, 19 pages)

• Printable format: Each printable nonfiction passage can stand on its own so you can use one, two, or all eight of them at a time to teach about the geography and history of Antarctica. (PDF, 9 pages)

• Full printable answer key. (PDF, 9 pages)

Excerpt:

“Ice defines Antarctica. Not only does it dominate the landscape, but it also has a major effect on the plants and animals that are able to live there. Human activities have also been severely limited by the frigid conditions. Antarctica was not seen by human eyes until 1820, when sailors from the United States, Great Britain, and Russia glimpsed it for the first time.  It was the last continent to be discovered and explored by human beings….”

Included Antarctica Reading Passage Titles:

• An Unforgiving Landscape

• Glacial Ice

• A Sheet of Ice

• Ice Shelves, Ice Bergs, and Pack Ice

• Ice Limits Activities

• Wildlife

• Territorial Claims

• The Antarctic Treaty

Applicable Grades: 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, homeschool



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