1. Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World
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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.
Which strengths, skills and characteristics would Sir Shackleton look for in selecting crew members?

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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

3. 3. Student Activity Organize your ideas.
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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

4. Q&A Scoring Tool 4. Assessment Activity Review these resources:
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4. Assessment Activity
Review these resources:
Refer to your opinion organizer.
Use Microsoft Word to type your letter to Sir Shackleton!
Watch a BrainPOP video about how to write a business letter.
Q&A
Read business letter “Q&A” (questions and answers) from Brainpop.
Scoring Tool
Preview the scoring rubric.
*NOTE: Go to the BCPS Database page and click on BrainPOP, then return to this slide and click on the video link above.
Image Source:

5. 5. Enrichment Activities
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Take a look at the
American Museum of Natural History’s online exhibition
about Endurance.
Click on the image above to watch the National Geographic Video
“Destination Antarctica.”
Read about some of the crewmembers. Try your hand at navigating with a sextant! Would you have survived?

6. 6. Teacher Support Materials1 2 3 4 5 6
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 Read, view, and listen for information presented in any format (e.g. textual, visual, media, digital) in order to make inferences and gather meaning 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.
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.