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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Explorers of the Mighty North

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students access the Internet to research the journey made by Rear Admiral Peary and Matthew Alexander Henson to the North Pole. They locate the North Pole on maps and globes. They present oral reports to classmates on their research.
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Website
Other

Bowdoin College: Arctic Museum: Biographies: Matthew Henson

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical information about Matthew Henson, an African American explorer who was with Robert Peary's team, in 1909, when he reached the North Pole.
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Website
Other

Peary & Henson Foundation: The Discovery of the North Pole

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about Admiral Peary's North Pole discovery, view pictures of the expedition, and find biographical information on the American Arctic explorer.
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Website
Ibis Communications

Eyewitness to History: Peary at the North Pole, 1909

For Students 9th - 10th
The resource investigates the quest for the North Pole in 1909. Students listen to Robert E. Peary discuss planting the American flag at the North Pole.
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Lesson Plan
Ohio State University

Osu: Cold Cases: Lessons in Historical Skills and Methods: Cook or Perry?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The controversy still is hotly debated! Who reached the North Pole first? Students can use primary documents and put on a mock trial to discuss the claims of Cook and Peary. Using the 21st-century skill of critical analysis, they can...
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Website
Other

Matthew Henson: Co Discoverer of Noth Pole With Peary, April 6, 1909

For Students 9th - 10th
A huge resource for information about Matthew Henson, co-discoverer of the North Pole. Clicking on the Table of Contents will take you to the extensive index of articles, photos and interviews.
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Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Henson, Matthew

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief encyclopedia entry about Matthew Henson, the African-American who, along with Robert Peary, reached the North Pole.
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Graphic
Smithsonian Institution

National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Robert E. Peary and Matthew Henson

For Students 9th - 10th
View the artwork for a U.S. postage stamp issued in 1986 to commemorate the discovery of the North Pole by Robert E. Peary and Matthew Henson. With a short passage on the details of their famous discovery.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Robert Peary

For Students 9th - 10th
An American explorer who is usually credited as the first person, on April 6, 1909, to reach the geographic North Pole.