Arctic Tundra (One Small Square)
One Small Square Series
on Goodreads (40)
What’s inside...
A small patch of earth can be a window to the wonders of the world. This series offers the proof. Each book focuses on a small part of a specific ecosystem, revealing the interaction between plants, animals and their environment. This book focuses on the Arctic tundra. It looks at a small area of the tundra, describes the plants and animals it supports, and examines each season in detail.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What animals did you notice in the Arctic Tundra, and how do you think they survive in such cold temperatures?
Can you describe how the landscape changes with each season in the Arctic Tundra?
Why do you think it’s important to protect places like the Arctic Tundra?
If you were an animal living in the Arctic Tundra, which one would you want to be and why?
How do the plants and animals in the Arctic Tundra depend on each other?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they already know about the Arctic Tundra, and revisit these points after reading to reinforce learning.
While discussing the book, relate the survival strategies of Arctic animals to simpler daily tasks your child does, to help them draw connections.
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the Arctic Tundra while discussing, enhancing empathy and engagement with the habitat's challenges.
After reading, work together with your child to draw or craft one of the animals from the book, discussing its features and importance in the Arctic ecosystem.
Use a globe or map to locate the Arctic Tundra with your child, giving them a spatial understanding of where the story takes place in relation to your own location.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of ecosystems
Explanation: The book explores the Arctic Tundra ecosystem comprehensively, illustrating how plants, animals, and the environment interact and depend on each other to survive.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the significance of every element in an ecosystem, promoting environmental consciousness and responsibility from a young age.
Example Lesson: Adaptation to environments
Explanation: Through vivid illustrations and descriptions, it shows how both plants and animals have adapted to thrive in the harsh conditions of the Arctic Tundra.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of resilience and adaptability, skills that are valuable when facing new or challenging situations in life.
Example Lesson: Biodiversity
Explanation: The book details the variety of life forms in the Arctic Tundra, emphasizing the biodiversity despite extreme climatic conditions.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and value diversity in all forms, understanding that each species has a role to play in the ecosystem, akin to every individual's unique contribution to society.
Example Lesson: Climate impact on habitats
Explanation: ‘Arctic Tundra’ addresses how climate change affects habitats, focusing on the changes observed in the tundra region.
Real-World Application: This educates children on the impact of climate change, fostering environmentally responsible behavior to protect natural habitats.
Example Lesson: Scientific observation skills
Explanation: The book encourages observing nature closely, using the one small square concept to focus on learning about each aspect deeply.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these observation skills to any new environment or situation, enhancing their analytical thinking and attention to detail.