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Arctic Passage
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Viewing Ideas
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Before Watching
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The Northwest Passage is the sea route linking the Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans. The Franklin Expedition traveled from England to
western Greenland through what is now Baffin Bay, then on to
Resolute Island. Some believe the crew made it as far as King
William Island. Have students plot the Northwest Passage on a
map and estimate its distance.
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Organize the class into five teams. As they watch the program,
have four of the teams track one of the following types of
evidence related to why the expedition failed: diseases, health
issues and physical remains; ship-related artifacts; Inuit
testimony; and written notes and journals. Have a fifth group
keep track of when events occurred.
After Watching
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Have students refer to their notes and share what they learned,
beginning with the team that took notes on when events occurred
(have this team write the sequence of events on the board). Each
team should report and add its findings to the time line. Ask
students to share which theory of why the men became ill and
died they believe is most likely and why.
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Discuss with students what conditions were like for the men on
the Franklin Expedition. What were the hardships? The pleasures?
What technologies were available to them? What technologies are
available today that did not exist in 1845? (Some technologies
available today include advanced ice-breaking equipment, Global
Positioning System navigation, nutrient supplements, better
preservation methods for food, synthetic fibers for clothes, and
antibiotics and other medications.)
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