The Children's Theatre Ed Pack (2007)

Part One

Arctic Circle[1]

·        ‘Climates near the North and South poles are characterised by freezing temperatures and permanent snow and ice’

·        This climate is due to a lack of heat, as most of the weak sunlight reflects the  heat off the ice, and back into the atmosphere

·         The Arctic experiences six months of winter during the time the North Pole is tilted away from the sun. During the short summer, temperatures climb to zero, or just above

ARCTIC ZONE and POPULATION[2]

·        ‘The Arctic Circle is one of five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth’

·        Regions north of the circle are referred to as Arctic, and south of the zone is known as the Northern Temperature Zone

·        ‘The Arctic Circle marks the southern extremity of the polar day (24 hour sunlit day, often referred to as the “midnight sun”) and polar night (24 hour sunless night)’

·        There will always be at least one 24 hour block of continuos light (and one of continious dark) each year

·        ‘The position of the Arctic Circle is not fixed, but varies in a complex manner over time’

·        The Arctic Circle is home to very few people

·        ‘The three largest towns above the Arctic Circle are situated in Russia; Murmansk (population 325,100), Norilsk (135,000) and Vorkuta (85,000). Tromso in Norway has about 62,000 inhabitants, whereas Rovaniemi in Finland — which lies slightly south of the line — has slightly fewer than 58,000’

ICE HOUSE[3]

·        Eskimo build their homes from snow. They are quick and easy to build

·        ‘Blocks of snow are made into circular case then more circles are added on the top, each smaller than the last. An air hole is left at the top and an entrance tunnel is built’

·        Snow provides great insulation. While it is cold and windy outside, it remains warm and snug inside

Arctic Wolf

·        Small packs or family groups.

·        Lone wolves are usually young males in search of own territory

·        Uses howling as a signal to other wolves, as a warning, or simply for the fun of it

FAMILY

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

HABITAT

DIET

BREEDING

Aurora Borealis[4]

·        also known as the Northern Lights

·        bright glow observed in the night sky, usually in the polar zone

·        named after the Roman god of dawn (Aurora) and the Greek name for north wind (Boreas)

·        most often occurs from September to October and from March to April

·        caused by the collision of charged particles with atoms in the Earth’s upper atmosphere (above 80km)

·        Shortly after the collision the atoms emit their gained energy as light

·        Appear either as a diffused glow or as a curtain

·        Can also evolve and change constantly

 Beagle[5]

·        Country of origin: Great Britain

·        Beagle-type dogs have existed for centuries

·        The breed of today was developed in Great Britain approx 150 years ago

·        Often used for hunting - hunts by scent

·        Sometimes used as sniffer dogs for recreational drug use detection

·        Almost all modern English beagles are descended from a noted pack kept by an English clergyman in the middle of the 19th century

·        In general, the beagle looks like a miniature foxhound

Physical Description

·        Small, lean dog

·        Short legged

·        High at the shoulder

·        Slightly longer than it is tall

·        Long, slightly domed and square muzzle

·        Sloping shoulders

·        Muscular hips and thighs

·        Large brown or hazel eyes that have a gentle expression

·        Black nose

·        Long, drooping ears that are broad and soft

·        Naturally short tail

·        Short, smooth coat of any hound colour

·        Height: 25-38cm (10-15 inches)

·        Weight: 9-13kg (20-30 pounds)

Temperament

·        Good natured

·        Independent minded

·        Outgoing and friendly

·        Gets along with children and other animals

Possible health concerns

·        Cleft palate, dwarfism, epilepsy, eye problems, hip dysplasia, reproductive disorders

Belladonna (or Deadly Nightshade)

·        One of the world’s most toxic plants

·        Can be fatal

·        Is a hallucinogenic

·        Folklore says that this is the devil’s plant and that anyone who eats the leaves or berries is poisoned by the devil

FAMILY

·        Scientific name – Amaryllis belladonna

·        It belongs to the same family as the potato, tomato, eggplant and chili pepper

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

·        A hardy, perennial shrub

·        dull green leaves

·        purple bell-shaped flowers

·        black, shiny berries

HABITAT

·        native to Europe, Africa and Asia