In Svalbard, Norway, a person used a foghorn to wake a sleeping polar bear. Svalbard is located about 1,000 kilometers from the North Pole, a cold and icy place. This person was fined 50,000 kroner for this action, which is against the rules. The local governor confirmed that the fine was necessary to protect wildlife.
Svalbard has strict rules to keep wildlife safe, especially polar bears. People cannot disturb polar bears on purpose because they are protected by law. Polar bears in this region have had protection since 1972. According to a count done in 2015, there are about 250 polar bears in Svalbard.
The person used the foghorn from a ship, causing the bear to wake up and move. Thankfully, the bear went to another spot without being hurt. It's important that people follow these rules to help keep polar bears safe. Protecting wildlife is crucial for the environment in Svalbard.
12. governmentthe group of people who run a country
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
1. What do you know about polar bears and where they live? 2. Have you ever heard of Svalbard? What do you think it might be like? 3. Why do you think it's important to protect animals like polar bears? 4. What are some ways people can disturb animal habitats? 5. Can you think of any other animals that are protected by law?
🤔 Comprehension Questions:
1. Where is Svalbard located?
Svalbard is about 1,000 kilometers from the North Pole.
2. What did a person in Svalbard use to wake a polar bear?
The person used a foghorn.
3. How much was the fine given to the person?
The fine was 50,000 kroner.
4. When did polar bears in Svalbard become protected by law?
They became protected in
5. How many polar bears were counted in Svalbard in 2015?
About 250 polar bears were counted.
6. Why are there strict rules about interacting with polar bears?
To protect the polar bears and keep them safe.
7. What happened after the foghorn woke the polar bear?
The polar bear moved away to another spot.
🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
In Svalbard, Norway, a person used a foghorn to wake a polar . Svalbard is located about 1,000 kilometers from the North Pole, a cold and icy place. This person was 50,000 kroner for this action, which is the . The local governor confirmed that the fine was necessary to wildlife. Svalbard has strict rules to keep wildlife safe, especially polar bears. People cannot disturb polar bears on purpose because they are protected by law. Polar in this region have had protection 1972. According to a done in 2015, there are about 250 polar bears in Svalbard. The person used the foghorn from a ship, causing the bear to wake up and move. Thankfully, the bear went to another spot without being hurt. important that people follow these rules to help keep bears safe. Protecting is crucial for the environment in Svalbard.
💬 Discussion Questions:
1. Why do you think people are fined for disturbing polar bears? 2. How would you feel if you saw a polar bear in the wild? 3. What do you think are the challenges of living in a place like Svalbard? 4. Why is it important to have laws to protect wildlife? 5. How can people safely observe wildlife without disturbing them? 6. What other animals do you think live in cold regions like Svalbard? 7. Why do you think polar bears are important to the environment? 8. What would you do if you accidentally disturbed a wild animal? 9. How does the government help protect wildlife in your country? 10. What are some ways we can learn more about polar bears? 11. How might climate change affect polar bears and their habitats? 12. If you were in charge, how would you protect wildlife?
Individual Activities
📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
Words
1. foghorn
2. polar
3. border
4. region
5. confirmed
6. allowance
7. wildlife
8. disturb
9. governor
10. protection
11. spotted
12. government
Meanings
(A) seen or noticed
(B) definitely stated to be true
(C) a loud horn used by ships
(D) a boundary between two areas
(E) related to the North or South Pole
(F) an official leader of an area
(G) an area of a country or the world
(H) the permission to do something
(I) keeping something safe from harm
(J) the group of people who run a country
(K) animals living naturally in an area
(L) to bother or interrupt
🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:
1. Where is Svalbard located?
(a) In South America
(b) Near the equator
(c) About 1,000 kilometers from the North Pole
(d) Along the Pacific Ocean
2. What did the person in Svalbard use to wake the polar bear?
(a) A foghorn
(b) A whistle
(c) A drum
(d) A bell
3. Why was the person fined in Svalbard?
(a) For crossing the road
(b) For swimming in cold water
(c) For fishing without a license
(d) For disturbing a polar bear
4. How much was the fine for waking the polar bear?
(a) 10,000 kroner
(b) 5,000 kroner
(c) 1,000 kroner
(d) 50,000 kroner
5. When have polar bears been protected in Svalbard?
(a) Since 1972
(b) Since 1995
(c) Since 2000
(d) Since 1980
6. How was the foghorn used?
(a) From a car
(b) From a plane
(c) From a ship
(d) From a building
7. Why is it important to follow the rules in Svalbard?
(a) To win a prize
(b) To keep the polar bears safe
(c) To travel freely
(d) To build more houses
8. How many polar bears were counted in Svalbard in 2015?
(a) About 1,000
(b) About 250
(c) About 500
(d) About 750
🕵️ True or False Questions:
1. The person used a foghorn from a ship to wake the bear.
2. The person was rewarded 50,000 kroner for waking a polar bear.
3. There are strict rules to protect wildlife in Svalbard.
4. Svalbard is about 1,000 kilometers from the North Pole.
5. Polar bears have been protected in Svalbard since 1972.
6. People can disturb polar bears on purpose in Svalbard.
7. The bear moved closer to another spot after being woken up.
8. A count done in 2015 found about 2,500 polar bears in Svalbard.
Writing Questions:
1. Imagine you are visiting Svalbard. What would you pack for the trip?
2. Write a short story about a day in the life of a polar bear.
3. Describe what you would do if you saw a polar bear while hiking.
4. Explain why it's important not to disturb wildlife in their natural habitat.
5. Discuss how people can help protect animals like polar bears.
