Explore Earth’s coldest continent with this engaging Antarctica reading comprehension resource.

Students will learn where Antarctica is located and discover why it is known as the coldest, driest and windiest continent on Earth. The passages explore its enormous ice sheet, glaciers, freezing temperatures and unusual seasons of long daylight and darkness.

Students will also discover how animals such as penguins, seals, whales and seabirds survive around Antarctica and how tiny Antarctic krill play an important role in the food web. The resource explains why very few plants can survive on land and why Antarctica is considered a desert despite being covered in ice.

The passages also introduce scientific research in Antarctica, research stations and the importance of international cooperation through the Antarctic Treaty System.

What’s included:

• Informational reading passages
• Antarctica geography and climate
• Ice sheets and glaciers
• Polar daylight and darkness
• Penguins, seals, whales and krill
• Plant and animal adaptations
• Antarctic research and scientists
• Reading comprehension questions
• Written response activities

Perfect for polar regions, continents, extreme environments, habitats, geography, Earth science, reading comprehension and homeschool learning.

File type: Printable PDF
Preparation: Print and use