The Long Journey: Matthew Henson

Information for Teachers

Curriculum links

This investigation is linked to the following C3 Social Studies Standards for Grades 3–5.

D2.His.2.3-5. Compare life in specific historical periods to life today.

D2.His.3.3-5. Generate questions about individuals and groups who have shaped significant historical changes and continuities.

D2.Geo.7.3-5. Explain how cultural and environmental characteristics affect the distribution and movement of people, goods, and ideas.

D2.Geo.8.3-5. Explain how human settlements and movements relate to the locations and use of various natural resources.

 

How to search the internet

1 Keep your request short

Fewer words will give a more accurate search.

2 Choose exactly what you want

For example: Arctic Circle Climate

3 Use quotes

Double quotes around a set of words tell the search engine to consider those exact words in that exact order without any change. For example: “Arctic Circle Climate”

4 Use the plus sign (+)

If you add a plus sign (+) between words, the internet will search for all the words. For example: migrate+birds+whales+mammal

5 Use the minus sign (–) to say what you don’t want

Use a minus sign (–) to show words you do not want to appear in your results. For example: if you search for burrowing animals and do not want mammals in your search,  –mammals will exclude mammals. Note that you need to put a space before the minus sign for the word to be excluded.

6 Be very clear about what you don’t want

Part 1
Ask questions and define problems

After reading The Long Journey: Matthew Henson, you may have many questions about how people challenge themselves and achieve great feats.

List your questions

  • Compare your list with questions that others have.
  • Choose a question you would like to investigate.
  • You can work alone, with a partner, or in a small group.

You may want to choose one or more of these questions to investigate

Q1. How did Henson and Peary survive the challenges of the Arctic conditions?

Q2. Why was their expedition undertaken?

Q3. What did they learn from their previous expeditions that enabled them to reach the North Pole?

Go to Part 2 Investigate →

Part 2
Investigate

Helpful websites

You can search for information on what sort of place the North Pole is by using these words: North Pole +weather, North Pole+ survival, North Pole+ transport.

Go to Part 3 Record data →

Part 3
Record data

Find a way of recording your information that will allow you to see any patterns in the data.

Data Chart for Henson and Peary
(Download and change to suit your information)

Download Chart
Go to Part 4 Organize, analyze, and interpret data →

Part 4
Organize, analyze, and interpret data

1. Look over the information you have gathered and the patterns you have found.

What were the challenges facing those on the expedition?

2. Search for other patterns.

What were the consequences of this expedition?

How have people’s attitudes changed toward these explorers?

What evidence supports these changes?

3. Makes notes about what you find.

Go to Part 5 Present and share →

Part 5
Present and share

Look over all of the information that you have gathered in your investigation.

What are the most important ideas about The Long Journey?

Make a chart showing the most important ideas about this particular long journey.

Download Chart
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