Key Stage 1 Famous for more than Five Minutes - NEW LOOK
Ice Explorers

Research the polar expeditions of Shackleton and Norgay. Follow their journeys and understand what they needed to take on an expedition in cold extreme conditions. Find out about the development of materials and portable communication and carry out insulation experiments to design a good polar jacket.

Session 1 Who was Ernest Shackleton and where did he explore?

Objectives

History

  • Know the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements.

Geography

  • Name and locate some of the world’s continents and oceans.

Science

  • Think scientifically, ask simple questions and recognise that they can be answered in different ways.
  • Observe closely, using simple equipment and performing simple tests.
  • Use their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions, and gather and record data to help in answering questions.

Lesson Planning

Find out about Ernest Shackleton, his background and his exploration of Antarctica.

Teaching Outcomes
To learn about key facts about the life and person of Ernest Shackleton by interviewing an adult acting in role (hot seating) and placing 1914 on the timeline.
To understand key geographical details of the Shackleton expedition; To understand that Antarctica is a land mass and not an iceberg.
To discuss the climate in Antarctica; To imagine being on Shackleton’s team as they prepared for life in the ice; To study ice-blocks and describe the changes as they melt.

Children will:

  • Understand something of the life and person of Shackleton.
  • Understand key geographical details of Antarctica, and that it is a land mass and not an iceberg.
  • Know key features of Antarctica’s climate and the properties of ice, by observing ice melting and discussing their observations.

Provided Resources

  • Hot seating: Ernest Shackleton
  • Preparing the classroom

You Will Need

  • Clothes and prompts for Shackleton visitor
  • Objects about Antarctica frozen in bowls of water
  • Ice Trap! Shackleton’s Incredible Expedition by Meredith Hooper

Session 2 Ernest Shackleton and Antarctica

Objectives

History

  • Know the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements.

Art

  • Know about the work of other artists, and making links to their own work.

Lesson Planning

Discover who went with him, what it was it like in Antarctica and why Ernest Shackleton was such a great and inspiring leader.

Teaching Outcomes
To understand the route Shackleton and his team took across Antarctica and discuss the qualities required by Shackleton and his team to be able to keep going through great hardships to achieve their goal.
To know something of the work of artist Frances Hatch and use it as inspiration to create own work based on the shape of the continent of Antarctica.

Children will:

  • Understand the route Shackleton and his team took across Antarctica.
  • Understand the importance of sea shanties designed to keep the crew’s spirits up.
  • Recognise some of the qualities required by Shackleton and his team to be able to keep going.
  • Be familiar with artist Frances Hatch and able to draw on her work as inspiration when creating their own pieces.

Provided Resources

  • Mapping Antartica
  • Inspiration from the artist Frances Hatch

You Will Need

  • Skipping ropes
  • Cones
  • Cameras
  • Materials for creating Antarctica shape

Session 3 Who was Tenzing Norgay and why did he climb Everest?

Objectives

History

  • Know the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements.

Geography

  • Name and locate some of the world’s continents and oceans.

Science

  • Observe closely, using simple equipment and performing simple tests.
  • Use their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions, and gather and record data to help in answering questions.

Lesson Planning

Who was Tenzing Norgay and what challenges did he face when he climbed Everest?

Teaching Outcomes
To learn key facts about the life and person of Tenzing Norgay.
To gain an understanding of the geographical location of Mount Everest and know some key facts.
To understand the physical challenges faced by Tenzing.

Children will:

  • Understand where Mount Everest is and know some key facts.
  • Learn key facts about the life and person of Tenzing Norgay by interviewing an adult acting in role.
  • Understand the physical fitness required by Tenzing to climb Everest.
  • Test insulation for gloves using ice, doubled-up freezer bags and different materials.

Provided Resources

  • Hot seating: Tenzing Norgay
  • Mount Everest
  • At Everest base camp 1953
  • How to make an insulated glove

You Will Need

  • Clothes and prompts for hot seating Tenzing
  • Food for role play
  • Little flags (bunting)
  • String
  • Pegs
  • PE benches
  • Bowl with water
  • Ice cubes
  • Freezer bags
  • Insulated materials
  • 1 minute timers

Session 4 Tenzing Norgay and respect for the mountain

Objectives

History

  • Know the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements.

Art

  • Know about the work of other artists, and making links to their own work.

Lesson Planning

How Tenzing Norgay displayed respect for Mount Everest and the emotional and spiritual connection people have with the world’s highest mountain.

Teaching Outcomes
To discuss the qualities required by Tenzing to be able to climb to the top of Everest.
To make cloth flags, in the style of Everest’s prayer flags and discuss places that are special for us and why.

Children will:

  • Discuss the qualities required by Tenzing to be able to climb to the top of Everest and understand something of the emotional and spiritual significance of Everest for people.
  • Discuss being ‘more Tenzing’ in their own lives and what that might mean.
  • Make cloth flags, in the style of Everest’s prayer flags and discuss places that are special for us and why.

You Will Need

  • Prayer flags in either white material and fabric pens or paper and felt tips
  • Ribbon and safety pins to attach the flags

Session 5 Shackleton and Norgay

Objectives

History

  • Know the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements.

Geography

  • Name and locate some of the world’s continents and oceans.

Lesson Planning

Compare the achievements of both Shackleton and Norgay, and re-enact their expeditions.

Teaching Outcomes
To consider the qualities, traits and achievements of both Shackleton and Norgay.
To discuss the locations of Antarctica & Everest. Discuss which expedition chn would like to be on and why.

Children will:

  • Consider the qualities, traits and achievements of both Shackleton and Tenzing.
  • Consider the questions ‘What were they famous for? Where did they travel? What did they do that was amazing?
  • Discuss the locations of Antarctica and Everest. Discuss which expedition they would like to be on and why.

You Will Need

You do not need any particular resources for this session.