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1. Questions
The book Shipwreck at the Bottom of
the World relates the story of Sir
Ernest Shackleton and his crew’s
harrowing journey to Antarctica.
Imagine you were a member of the
crew. How would you survive?
What were the crew members’ roles
and responsibilities?
What environmental risks and
obstacles were faced by the crew of
the Endurance?
Video Source: IMDb *If video is blocked for students inside BCPS network, students
may view from home, or teacher may screen video for students in school.
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2. Information Sources
Learn more! Click on the buttons below to
research your topic.
Click on the “World Book
Student” button to research
conditions on the Antarctic
continent.
Click on the “Scoop.it!”
button to find curated
resources about Antarctica,
the Endurance, and the crew
members. You can even take
a peek inside Sir Shackleton’s
Antarctic hut!
Image Source: © Popperfoto/Getty Images
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3. Student Activity
Now that you have read Jennifer Armstrong’s
Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World and
have begun your research…
Think about what you know about Antarctic
exploration and risks. Think about what
you know about each crew member’s role
and responsibilities. Imagine that Sir
Shackleton is planning another Antarctic
voyage. What skills and attributes could
you contribute?
Write a letter to Sir Shackleton to persuade
him to sign you on as a crew member on
his next expedition!
Organize your ideas.
Image Source: Rainbow Resource Center
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4. Assessment Activity
1. Review these resources:
Watch a BrainPOP video
about how to write a
business letter.
*NOTE: Go to the BCPS Database
page and click on BrainPOP, then
return to this slide and click on the
video link above.
Q&A
Scoring Tool
Read business letter
“Q&A” (questions and
answers) from Brainpop.
Preview the scoring
rubric.
2. Refer to your opinion organizer.
3. Use Microsoft Word to type your
letter to Sir Shackleton!
Image Source: www.clipart.com
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5. Enrichment Activities
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Take a look at the
American Museum of Natural History’s online exhibition
about Endurance.
Read about some of the crewmembers. Try
your hand at navigating with a sextant!
Would you have survived?
Click on the image above to watch
the National Geographic Video
“Destination Antarctica.”
6. Teacher Support Materials
BCPS Curriculum
GT 5 Reading
Common Core State Standards
Reading: 1. Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make
logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to
support conclusions drawn from the text.
Writing: 7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on
focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
W.5.1. Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with
reasons and information.
L.5.1. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and
usage when writing or speaking.
L.5.2. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Standards for the 21st Century Learner
1.1.6 Read, view, and listen for information presented in any format (e.g. textual,
visual, media, digital) in order to make inferences and gather meaning.
2.1.3 Use strategies to draw conclusions from information and apply knowledge to
curricular areas, real-world situations, and further investigations.
Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Students
3.0: Use a variety of technologies for learning and collaboration.
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Time Frame:
4 – 5 50 minute periods
Differentiation:
 Direct students to use comprehension tools included
in databases, such as: audio read-aloud, labeled
reading levels, and embedded dictionaries.
Learning Styles:
 Visual, auditory, kinesthetic, tactile, active, reflective,
global, analytical
Notes to the teacher:
 This Slam Dunk is the GT 5 Reading performance task
for Jennifer Armstrong’s Shipwreck at the Bottom of the
World.
 The Scoring Tool has been revised to reflect Common
Core State Standards for English Language Arts
 Watch this National Geographic video on Safari
Montage for teacher background information about Sir
Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance (~26 minutes).
Last updated: July 2012
Created by Cheryl Madden, Library Media Specialist
BCPS Slam Dunk Research Model, Copyright 2012, Baltimore County Public Schools, MD, all rights reserved. The models may be used for educational, non-profit school use only.
All other uses, transmissions, and duplications are prohibited unless permission is granted expressly. This lesson is based on Jamie McKenzie’s Slam Dunk Lesson module.