Canada's Forests: A Fine Balance - Vol. 5

Species at Risk

Description

This resource provides 9 distinct lessons (gr. 4 to 12 levels) on topics related to Species at Risk and the role of forests in sheltering and supporting wildlife species in Canada. The lessons follow the Pan-Canadian curriculum and are designed to focus on the grade units which include these issues (specifically gr. 4,6,7,10-12). All lessons include a summary, activity information, learning outcomes, teacher background, lesson descriptions and extensions.

Lesson 1: Acting Out for Species at Risk (Elem) - students research a species at risk from a forested habitat and prepare a public service announcement to make people aware of how the species can be helped.
Lesson 2: Surviving Species at Risk (Elem) - students create and gather information from a survey to determine what people already know, and explore ways to increase their knowledge about species at risk.
Lesson 3: Shrinking Habitat (Elem) - Sharing the Space - students explore the impacts of decreasing available space on a species.
Lesson 4: Predicting: What If? (Gr. 7) - students research the effectiveness of existing protective legislation on the present and future populations of a species at risk.
Lesson 5: Recover Me! (Gr. 7, 10) - students collaborate on studying a recovery effort for a species at risk and devise a proposal and budget report to request funds from a charitable organization to continue the recovery.
Lesson 6: Live! With SARA (Gr. 10, 12) - students research and present a radio or tv show to discuss and explain Canada's Species at Risk Act (SARA).
Lesson 7: Species and Spaces: At Risk, At Home (Gr. 11) - with the focus on Atlantic eco-regions, students explore species at risk within various biomes and ecological landforms.
Lesson 8: What's the Big Deal? (Gr. 10, 12) - students explore the significance of inter-species relationships and importance to humans, and prepare a brochure to highlight the value of species at risk.
Lesson 9: Balancing the Cost of Protected Areas (Gr. 10, 12) - students examine and research the socioeconomic/environmental benefits and costs in creating a protected area for species at risk.

General Assessment

Question	Response
To enhance this resource the following changes would be beneficial:	Students could set up a terrarium with native plants and explore the requirements of keeping it healthy. Students could research a species that has already become extinct due to human interference, and suggest actions that would have prevented this; explore the inter-relationships that the species had within its niche.
What skills does this resource explicitly teach?	Students are taught how to develop and make a survey conduct Internet research model a talk or TV show develop and produce brochures do cost benefit analysis make predictions make presentations

Sustainability Education Principles

Principle	Rating	Explanation
Consideration of Alternative Perspectives	Very Good
Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions	Very Good	Students examine the impact and implications of species and species at risk on the environment, economy and society. Examples include - loss of habitat, possible medicinal values, measuring the costs and benefits against many competing interests of society
Respects Complexity	Very Good	As stated above, there are many factors to be aware of and to consider - the complexity of ecological systems and relative species and how we affect them.
Acting on Learning	Good	Students develop and prepare Public Service Announcements which are shared with the school community Students develop, prepare and complete a survey to ascertain the level of awareness that their peers have about species at risk Students do research on a species and make valid predictions about its future prospects, which leads into the next lesson Students research a recovery effort and develop a proposal for funding to further facilitate the recovery process Students prepare a TV/Radio talk show Students analyse the costs and benefits of developing a protected area and make a proposal. These can be made even more relevant to the students if they take their information out of the classroom and make presentations to the community at large - as suggested in the extension activities.
Values Education	Very Good
Empathy & Respect for Humans	Poor/Not considered	Poor Depending on the biome or regional area researched, students may or may not encounter situations that involve cultural/ethnic perspectives on wildlife issues. Otherwise this is not specifically addressed or applicable.
Personal Affinity with Earth	Very Good
Locally-Focused Learning	Very Good	A lot of the research and exploration in regard to different species is conducted in the student's own province or even within/nearby their own community.
Past, Present & Future	Very Good	The historical view of the species is explored as well as human impacts on its habitat. Consideration is given to the present while looking into/predicting the future.

Pedagogical Approaches

Principle	Rating	Explanation
Open-Ended Instruction	Very Good	There are many appropriate open-ended situations presented here. Students are encouraged to consider and develop their own thoughts and opinions throughout the lessons.
Integrated Learning	Very Good	With the language and communication skills used in the talk show/TV show, the research and analysis techniques of the surveying and tabulating results, the looking at the geographical and biological nature of the various biomes, and the study of the inter-relationships of the ecosystem, many subjects are covered.
Inquiry Learning	Good	Students can choose their area of research. Through their own research, surveys and analysis they come to their own conclusions on which they will make decisions and offer suggestions.
Differentiated Instruction	Good	While accommodating students who struggle is not specifically addressed, the organization and suggested implementation of the lessons allow for students to participate in many ways and with this open format different learning needs can be met quite easily.
Experiential Learning	Satisfactory	If the extension activities are implemented, this would be considered a strength.
Cooperative Learning	Satisfactory	It is assumed that students already know how to work in groups and/or with a partner cooperatively.
Assessment & Evaluation	Good	Throughout the lessons, according to their described outcomes, there are questions and suggested formats to follow for assessment. Students pass in brochures, presentation work, graphic representations, research notes and analysis of results. There are no specific tests or formal evaluations provided
Peer Teaching	Good	I would rank this as very good if teachers provide opportunities for the students to complete the extension activities.
Case Studies	Very Good	Case studies and examples are current, authentic and relevant to the concepts studied.
Locus of Control	Very Good	Many of the lessons involve the students choosing their own area/species to research along with the topics they would like to address.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

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Alberta
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    - Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
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    - FOR1020:Forest Ecology in Regions of Canada
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    - Biology 20: Ecosystems and Population Change
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    - FOR2030: Regulating Alberta Forests
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    - Biology 30: Population and Community Dynamics
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    - Forestry - FOR3010: Issues and Trends in Forestry
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British Columbia
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- Grade 11
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    - Explorations in Social Studies 11(Human Geography, Contemporary Indigenous Studies, Social Justice) : Physical features and natural resources influence demographic patterns and population distribution (adapted from Human Geography
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    - Environmental Science 12: Sustainable land use is essential to meet the needs of a growing population
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Manitoba
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New Brunswick
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    - Our Local Environment : Learning and Living Sustainably
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Newfoundland & Labrador
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    - Canadian Geography 1202: Natural and Human Systems
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Northwest Territories
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- Grade 11
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    - Biology 20: Ecosystems and Population Change
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    - Explorations in Social Studies 11: Physical features and natural resources influence demographic patterns and population distribution (adapted from Human Geography
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    - Biology 30: Population and Community Dynamics
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    - Environmental Science 12: Sustainable land use is essential to meet the needs of a growing population
Nova Scotia
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Nunavut
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    - Science 10: Cycling of Matter in Living Systems
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    - Biology 20: Ecosystems and Population Change
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    - Science 20: Changes in Living Systems
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    - Biologie 30 :Population and Community Dynamics
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Ontario
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    - Natural Resources around the World: Use and Sustainability
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    - Life Systems: Interactions in the Environment
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    - Exploring Canadian Geography: Physical Geography and Physical Processes in Canada
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    - Biology 11(Univer.Prep.) Diversity of Living Things
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    - Environmental Science (Univ/College Prep.) Scientific Solutions to Contemporary Environmental Challenges
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    - Regional Geography (Univ./College Prep.): Sustainability and Stewardship
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    - Biology 12 (Univ. Prep.): Population Dynamics
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    - Spatial Technologies in Action (Univ./College Prep.) Using Spatial Technologies to Support Sustainability
    - The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep) : Ecological Systems: Interactions and Interdependence
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    - The Environment & Resource Management (Univ/College Prep.) Community Action
    - The Environment & Resource Management (Workplace Preparation): Human-Environment Interactions
    - World Issues: A Geographic Analysis (Univ. Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship
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    - Science (Univ./College Prep.) Science and Public Health Issues
Prince Edward Island
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- Grade 4
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    - Habitats
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    - Exploring Our World
- Grade 6
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  - Science
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    - Diversity of Life
- Grade 7
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  - Science
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    - Interactions Within Ecosystems
- Grade 10
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  - Science
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    - Science 431A: Life Science, Sustainability of Ecosystems
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    - Canadian Studies 401A: Canada Work & Worth
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    - Decisions and Perspective
    - Biology 621A: Nature of Science
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    - Environmental Science 621A: Natural Resources
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    - Geography 621A Global Issues : Inquiry- What are the issues?
Quebec
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- Grade 4
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  - Science & Technology
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    - Living Things
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  - Science & Technology
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    - Living Things
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  - Science & Technology
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    - Living Things
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  - Science & Technology
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    - The Living World
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  - Science & Technology
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    - The Living World
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  - Science & Technology
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    - Applied Science & Technology: The Living World
    - Science and Technology: The Living World
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  - Science & Technology
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    - Applied Science & Technology:The Living World
    - Environmental Science & Technology: The Living World
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Saskatchewan
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- Grade 5
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  - Social Studies
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    - Canada: Resources and Wealth
- Grade 6
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  - Science
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    - Science 6: Life Science: Diversity of Living Things
- Grade 7
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  - Science
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    - Science 7: Life Science: Interactions within Ecosystems
- Grade 10
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  - Science
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    - Science 10: Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics
- Grade 12
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  - Biology
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Biology 30: Life and Evolution
Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Social Studies
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Explorations in Social Studies 11: Physical features and natural resources influence demographic patterns and population distribution (adapted from Human Geography
- Grade 12
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Environmental Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Environmental Science 12: Sustainable land use is essential to meet the needs of a growing population
  - Social Studies
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Human Geography 12: Human activities alter landscapes in a variety of ways.

Exemplary
Classroom
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Reviewed By Teachers
For Teachers

Canada's Forests: A Fine Balance - Vol. 5

Species at Risk

Print this review

Description

General Assessment

Sustainability Education Principles

Pedagogical Approaches

Relevant Curriculum Units

ExemplaryClassroom Resources

Reviewed By Teachers For Teachers

Canada's Forests: A Fine Balance - Vol. 5

Species at Risk

Print this review

Description

General Assessment

Sustainability Education Principles

Pedagogical Approaches

Relevant Curriculum Units

Exemplary
Classroom
Resources

Reviewed By Teachers
For Teachers