How Cold is the Polar Sea?

Students learned a little about how penguins are adapted to survive the cold temperatures of Antarctica today and observed the different continents and bodies of water on the world map.  Our class then used thermometers, warm water, cold water, and ice to try and match various ocean temperatures at the equator, the poles, and locations in between.  Students had to work cooperatively in table groups to use these materials to get their bowl of water the same temperature in various places (and of course practiced their skills of reading a thermometer!)  INQUIRE with your child what the air and water temperature is like along the equator compared to that near the poles.