Canada's Forests: All Things Big and Small - Vol. 3

Biodiversity Basics

Description

This resource examines the biodiversity and the complexity of the various life forms that make up Canadian forests. The emphasis is on helping students appreciate the relationships and interdependence of all species in this ecosystem. Students learn how they can affect forests and understand ways to preserve and maintain their diversity. Themes include biotechnology, natural and introduced pests, species at risk, habitat loss and fragmentation, protected areas, climate change and traditional indigenous knowledge. Lessons can be summarized as follows:

Lesson One- It's What Inside That Counts ( 1x90min)

Students learn the basics of biodiversity by studying the arrangements of fauna and flora in a field investigation of the schoolyard. Teams will visit three assigned "habitat" sites and record living and non-living components. After discussing results, students are asked to create a poem or story about living in one of the habitat sites.

Lesson Two- Too Hot, Too Cold,...Just Right ( 2x45min)

This lesson focuses on how climate change impacts population numbers. After a discussion on how climate changes are driven by human activity, students are guided through a role play simulating the effects of rising temperatures on Arctic, Mid-latitude and Tropical biomes. After a wrap-up with discussion questions, students are asked to write a short story on an assigned topic.

Lesson Three- What Our Elders Say (1x60min, 1x90min)

After looking at how an Indigenous legend relates to biodiversity, the students read and perform a play based on the "Legend of The Sky Sisters". Students then write their own legend incorporating an environmental message.

Lesson Four- Barrier To Biodiversity (2x60min)

After reviewing as a class how human activity can lead to habitat loss and fragmentation, students have to write and present stories in the form of a power point presentation, poster, public service announcement or skit describing how individual plants or animals are subject to, and respond to, stress in their habitat.

Lesson Five- Off Limits (4x45min)

Students investigate officially protected areas and create a class newspaper that contains articles which focus on the role of protected areas in helping maintain diversity. In this exercise they explore the social, economic, and environmental impacts of protected areas.

Lesson Six- To Be Or Not To Be (2x60min)

Students work in groups to produce a "species at risk" game board which focuses on the habitat impacts of: change/modification, over-exploitation of resources, poorly regulated commercial harvest, disruption of migration routes/breeding behaviors, contamination, and the introduction of exotic species.

Lesson Seven- Unwelcome Guests (2 x 60min)

Students develop a "Futures Wheel"(a graphic description of the inter-relationships and impacts of a single decision or event) focusing on exotic and invasive species in Canada.

Lesson Eight- Timberland ( 1x90min)

A role playing activity is used to show how biotechnology can be used as a tool to help maintain forest biodiversity. Using a timber-theft crime story students will complete a report (including a CSI sheet and victim profile) to assist them in understanding techniques used in biotechnology.

General Assessment

Question	Response
To enhance this resource the following changes would be beneficial:	Resource requires more evaluation tools for formative and summative assessments There needs to be attention paid to authentic action Organize a classroom visit by a representative from Natural Resources, Environment Canada or a wildlife biologist to speak on a relevant topic Invite a representative from a wood harvesting company to speak on the measures they implement to preserve habitat in forests and maintain biodiversity Visit a local wetlands to study a very bio-divese ecosystem(like the Tantramar Wetlands Center) Organize a walk through a local forest to look at the various types of flora, exotic species and signs of habitat fragmentation found there Provide a template for the Futures Wheel Research the number of incidents of bears roaming near populated areas, as urban sprawl infringes upon forested areas
To enhance this resource the following changes are strongly recommended:
What skills does this resource explicitly teach?	Making predictions based on previous life experiences Following experimental procedures Recording and interpreting data Researching topics on-line Inferring and explaining relationships Presenting information in different ways Working cooperatively with a team to develop and carry out a plan

Sustainability Education Principles

Principle	Rating	Explanation
Consideration of Alternative Perspectives	Good	Biodiversity is a very complex topic, yet the resource seems to focus on seven themes that touch on the most important parts of this issue with regards to preserving forests. Perhaps the points of view from private companies who harvest wood products and government regulations effecting these companies could be better represented.
Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions	Very Good	The environmental issues in maintaining diversity in ecosystems and the role that humans play in conserving these are addressed. Economic implications with regards to life style choices in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the financial burden in monitoring and establishing protected areas are also important themes in the resource.
Respects Complexity	Satisfactory	The importance of biodiversity is well-addressed, touching on those issues which threaten it with the greatest intensity. While these issues are complex. the far-reaching effect of each one is difficult to give full attention to.
Acting on Learning	Satisfactory	There are no action experiences contained within the resource itself. There are some suggested in extensions, but it would be up to the individual teacher to develop them.
Values Education	Satisfactory
Empathy & Respect for Humans	Satisfactory	Empathy is fostered especially in the lesson on endangered species and species at risk.
Personal Affinity with Earth	Satisfactory	There is only one out-of-doors experience in 8 lessons.
Locally-Focused Learning	Good	Many of the links are locally focused. Because habitats come in many forms, finding ecosystems to study and relate to in the student's own community would not be difficult.
Past, Present & Future	Good

Pedagogical Approaches

Principle	Rating	Explanation
Open-Ended Instruction	Satisfactory	Although the lessons are teacher directed, the students do have opportunities to discuss and develop potential ideas and present them in various ways.
Integrated Learning	Good	Although the resource is science-based, activities require students to cross over into areas of social studies, language arts, and visual and performing arts.
Inquiry Learning	Satisfactory
Differentiated Instruction	Satisfactory	Activities are varied and teach to both the cognitive and affective domains. There are no accommodations suggested for students with learning or reading difficulties .
Experiential Learning	Good	There is one authentic experience (field investigation in Lesson 1) and one simulation activity (game in Lesson 2) in the resource.
Cooperative Learning	Satisfactory
Assessment & Evaluation	Poor/Not considered	There are reflection questions, but no other suggestions, rubrics or hand-outs to help with either summative or formative assessment.
Peer Teaching	Satisfactory
Case Studies	Very Good	Many links to current and relevant case studies are provided.
Locus of Control	Very Good	Students are given many choices on assigned work. Extension suggestions provide opportunities to go deeper into chosen issues with different environmental organizations.

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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- Grade 7
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  - Science
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    - Interactions and Ecosystems
British Columbia
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- Grade 5
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  - Social Studies
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Canadian Issues and Governance: Natural resources continue to shape the economy and identity of different regions of Canada.
Manitoba
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- Grade 6
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  - Science
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    - Diversity of Living Things
    - Evolution:
- Grade 7
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  - Science
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    - Interactions Within Ecosystems
    - Life Systems
Newfoundland & Labrador
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- Grade 6
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  - Social Studies
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    - What Influences Culture?
- Grade 7
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    - Interaction of Ecosystems
Northwest Territories
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- Grade 5
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  - Social Studies
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    - Canadian Issues and Governance: Natural resources continue to shape the economy and identity of different regions of Canada.
Nova Scotia
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- Grade 6
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    - Science 6: Diversity of Life
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    - Social Studies 6: Environment and Culture
- Grade 7
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  - Science
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    - Science 7: Environmental Action
Nunavut
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- Grade 6
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  - Science
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    - Life Systems: Diversity of Living Things
- Grade 7
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  - Science
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    - Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 8
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  - Science
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    - Interactions in Our Environment
Ontario
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- Grade 6
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  - Science & Technology
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    - Life Systems: Biodiversity
- Grade 7
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  - Geography
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    - Natural Resources around the World: Use and Sustainability
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    - Life Systems: Interactions in the Environment
- Grade 8
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    - Structures and Mechanisms: Systems in Action
Prince Edward Island
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- Grade 6
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    - Diversity of Life
- Grade 7
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    - Interactions Within Ecosystems
Quebec
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- Grade 7
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    - Protected territory
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    - Protected territory
Saskatchewan
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- 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 7: Life Science: Interactions within Ecosystems
Yukon Territory
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- Grade 5
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  - Social Studies
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Canadian Issues and Governance: Natural resources continue to shape the economy and identity of different regions of Canada.

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Canada's Forests: All Things Big and Small - Vol. 3

Biodiversity Basics

Print this review

Description

General Assessment

Sustainability Education Principles

Pedagogical Approaches

Relevant Curriculum Units

ExemplaryClassroom Resources

Reviewed By Teachers For Teachers

Canada's Forests: All Things Big and Small - Vol. 3

Biodiversity Basics

Print this review

Description

General Assessment

Sustainability Education Principles

Pedagogical Approaches

Relevant Curriculum Units

Exemplary
Classroom
Resources

Reviewed By Teachers
For Teachers