First American Polar Explorer Scavenger Hunt
Created by: Susan Magarie
Extra! Extra! Read all about it. Third Grade students at St. Thomas have
investigated famous first American explorers of the Polar Regions.
The assignment: You and a partner will act as newspaper reporters and research
facts about a famous ‘first’ American explorer of the Polar Regions. After you
have gathered your facts, you and your partner will construct a newspaper
containing all relevant information about your chosen explorer. You may add other
materials to your newspaper to give it flare (for example: a crossword puzzle,
comics section, weather report, etc.). Remember to focus on the theme of your
paper when adding any additional items. This is both a home & in-class assignment.
Each partner will be responsible for his/her share of the newspaper. A zero will be
issued to any student who comes to class unprepared. Due date: Jan. 16th.
Requirements:
1. It must be on a 12 x 18 white construction paper, folded in half.
2. You will be graded on the following elements:
a) Newspaper contains five facts about polar explorer & quality of articles is
well written and contains no errors in spelling, grammar and/or mechanics.
b) A timeline is outline on polar explorer.
c) Additional ‘add-ons’ are provided such as crossword puzzle, word search,
cartoons, etc.
d) Newspaper contains five or more graphics pertaining to assigned polar
explorer.
e) Catchy title & beginning opening summary is evident.
f) Appearance of Newspaper is well laid out.
g) Group participation is evident
List of First American Polar Explorers
Below is a list of famous first American explorers who braved the coldest & harshest
regions of both the Arctic & Antarctica. Each explorer became the first at discovering
people, land, and/or passages. You and a partner will research one of these famous people
and create a newspaper about them. Due date of this assignment: Jan. 16th.
Ann Bancroft
Louise A. Boyd
Richard Byrd
Richard H. Cruzen
Dr. James Eights
George W. Gibbs
Matthew Henson
Nathaniel Palmer
Robert Peary
Finn Ronne
Will Steger
Recommended Websites to Use
Various Polar Explorers
Various Polar Explorers
Exploration Timeline of Explorers
This site will help you with your timeline
Enchantedlearning
George W. Gibbs, Jr.
Facts about Arctic Exploration
Robert E. Peary
Richard Evelyn Byrd
Richard E. Byrd
Matthew Henson
Matthew Henson
Louise A. Boyd
Louise Boyd
Admiral Richard H. Cruzen
Ann Bancroft
Ann Bancroft
Will Steger
Will Steger
Finn Ronn
Nathaniel Palmer
Dr. James Eights
NEWSPAPER PROJECT RUBRIC
Name: _______________________________________________
Date: January 16, 2009
Appearance:
Neatness of
layout,
organization &
readability of
material.
Content: Facts,
details, timeline,
of exploration,
accomplishments,
etc.
Spelling,
grammar, and
mechanics
Writing: Quality
of written
summarization.
Graphics:
Pictures,
drawings or
designs
Newspaper is
artistically laid
out, colorful, and
demonstrates
complete
understanding of
project.
Newspaper is
lovely, well laid
out and
demonstrates
understanding of
project.
Newspaper is
acceptable in
regards to layout,
organization, and
neatness.
Newspaper is
messy, difficult
to read, and/or
demonstrate poor
understanding of
project.
Newspaper
contains many
facts and details
of exploration
and contains
additional
features of
explorer’s
accomplishments.
Newspaper is
error free of all
grammar, spelling
& mechanics.
Newspaper
contains one or
two additional
facts & details of
explorer &
his/her
accomplishments.
Newspaper
contains required
number of facts
& details of
explorer and
his/her
accomplishments.
Newspaper lacks
the required
number of facts
& details of
explorer and
his/her
accomplishments.
Newspaper
contains 1 -2
errors in spelling,
grammar or
mechanics.
Newspaper is
nicely written.
Newspaper
contains 3 -4
errors in spelling,
grammar or
mechanics.
Newspaper’s
quality of work is
average.
Newspaper
contains the
required number
of graphics.
Newspaper
contains many
errors in spelling
grammar or
mechanics.
Newspaper’s
quality of work is
poorly written.
Newspaper lacks
graphics or is
poorly laid out.
2
1
Newspaper
exemplifies a well
written paper.
Newspaper
contains many
graphics.
Group Grade &
Participation
4
Newspaper
contains the
required number
of graphics.
3
Teacher’s comment:
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