Canada's Boreal Forest: Tradition and Transition - Vol. 8

Canada's Boreal Forest

Description

This nine-lesson resource targeted for both middle school (lessons 1,2,4,5,6) and high school (lessons 3,7,8,9), promotes an understanding of the importance of the Canadian Boreal Forest in terms of its biodiversity, unique habitats, and wealth of natural resources.

Activities focus on highlighting the dependence of Canadians on forest resources and how valuable the Boreal forest is in terms of income, spirituality, recreational pursuits, and cultural traditions. Emphasis is also given to the ecological importance of keeping natural habitat intact and the importance of sustainable resource management.

Lesson One: Who Travels The Farthest? (1x90min)

After reading handouts and doing research on the web, students predict which of ten bird species migrate the farthest distance from the Boreal Forest. They then plot these locations on a mapping grid. Summarizing questions are answered before completing a matching activity.

Lesson Two: Fly Away Home (1x90min)

After discussing why the Boreal Forest is a highly suitable breeding habitat for many bird species, students map the migratory movements of two bird species who nest in the Boreal Forest. They will then answer reflection questions focusing on why the Boreal Forest is the "Nursery of The North".

Lesson Three: New Challenges In A New Climate (2x75min)

After a class discussion on how the make-up of ecosystems will change due to global warming, students investigate the adaptations of a chosen Boreal species using the internet and print materials. Then, given a description of future conditions that might exist in Canada due to this global climate change, students write and present a report on how that same species will adapt in the future.

Lesson Four: Interdependent Me (1x60min)

This lesson is a class game and cut-and-paste activity that emphasizes the dependence we have on forests for certain products and how the relationship between extractors, processors, sellers and users is interdependent and important.

Lesson Five: Creating Your Own Conservation Group (3x75min)

Students will do internet research on two conservation groups relating to forests, migratory birds, and biodiversity. (List is provided) They will then create their own conservation group and design their organization's website.

Lesson Six: Minimizing Forest Fragmentation (1x60min)

Students will be introduced to the concept of forest fragmentation through class discussions and a hand-out. The importance of intact habitats to biodiversity is emphasized by cutting out and arranging images representing various sources of fragmentation on a forest landscape page. Lesson summarizing questions are then completed.

Lesson Seven: The Canada Forest Accord (1x75min)

Students read and then analyze the Canada Forest Accord by answering questions on the document. A class discussion follows exploring its vision, principles, and commitment to the sustainability of Canadian forests.

Lesson Eight: The Forest Times (5x75min)

Students will create a class newspaper featuring forest-related articles and illustrations. Topic lists, ideas, and outlines are provided.

Lesson Nine: Forest Resource Management: A New Era (3x75min)

Students will break up into two groups to research current Boreal forest management plans, and the increasing role of Indigenous people in developing land-use strategies. One group investigates the concept of Traditional Ecological Knowledge, while the other researches the management of timber harvests to emulate natural disturbances like forest fires. Websites are provided. The two groups then present the central concepts to each other.

General Assessment

Question	Response
To enhance this resource the following changes would be beneficial:	Provide an out-of-doors experience- such as a visit to a local forested area to look at fragmentation or threats to habitat Arrange a visit to a local bird conservation area Invite a biologist to class to discuss migration patterns of local birds Arrange a duck banding demonstration with the Canadian Wildlife Service Provide accommodations for struggling readers or links to websites with less challenging reading material Invite a member of a local Indigenous community to speak on the traditional knowledge with regards to the forest and its importance More information about the past and how the Boreal forest has changed over time would be useful
To enhance this resource the following changes are strongly recommended:	An authentic action plan is needed Fix the link to the Canada Forest Accord in Lesson Seven More assessment tools and suggestions for evaluation are needed
What skills does this resource explicitly teach?	Analyzing and evaluating text Responding and reflecting on written and media text Making predictions Interpreting patterns and trends in data Working cooperatively within a team to develop and carry out a plan Presenting information in different ways Identifying and using a variety of sources and technologies to gather information

Sustainability Education Principles

Principle	Rating	Explanation
Consideration of Alternative Perspectives	Satisfactory	The importance of the Boreal Forest is far-reaching and very complex with many stakeholders. Nonetheless, lessons give an adequate overall picture of economic, environmental, and social impacts.
Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions	Good	The resource emphasizes that all Canadians have a right to provide input to the government on the management of the economic, environmental, and cultural aspects of the Boreal Forest. It also highlights the many economic and social benefits the forest provides, at the same time emphasizing that constant vigilance is needed to preserve diversity and habitat.
Respects Complexity	Satisfactory	The dependence of Canadians on resources found in the Boreal forest is complex and touches all sectors of society. Equally challenging is the preservation of diversity and ecosystem sustainability. This resource is able to address these issues in an effective way, without going into too much detail. The far-reaching effects of climate change however, does not receive full attention here.
Acting on Learning	Poor/Not considered	Poor- there are no authentic action experiences
Values Education	Satisfactory
Empathy & Respect for Humans	Satisfactory
Personal Affinity with Earth	Poor/Not considered	Poor- There are no "out-of-doors" experiences.
Locally-Focused Learning	Good	There are so many products that we use that originate in forests that the issues discussed in the resource have local focus. As well, the set inductions effectively relate forest-related situations to the everyday lives of the students.
Past, Present & Future	Satisfactory	There are no discussions of the past. The present situation is the focus of the resource. The future is seen as positive only if forest management strategies are implemented by all sectors of society and that all Canadians ( especially Aboriginals sharing traditional knowledge) have input into these plans.

Pedagogical Approaches

Principle	Rating	Explanation
Open-Ended Instruction	Satisfactory	Although teacher directed, students have ample opportunities through activity completion, research, and discussion questions to appreciate the importance of the Boreal Forest to Canadians.
Integrated Learning	Satisfactory	Although mainly a science/geography focused resource, it does contain learning opportunities in the subject areas of math, language arts, art, and technology.
Inquiry Learning	Satisfactory
Differentiated Instruction	Satisfactory	A wide range of activities are offered at different age levels. Both the cognitive and affected domains are addressed. There are no accommodations suggested for students with reading or learning difficulties.
Experiential Learning	Satisfactory	Simulations, games and worksheet activities are the main experiences.
Cooperative Learning	Satisfactory
Assessment & Evaluation	Satisfactory	Although worksheets, reflection questions, and answer keys are provided with some lessons, there are no specific suggestions given for either formative or summative assessment. Rubrics are lacking for lessons especially those which involve creating a web page, researching adaptations, presenting forest management strategies, and creating a class newspaper.
Peer Teaching	Satisfactory
Case Studies	Poor/Not considered	Poor- There are no relevant case studies used.
Locus of Control	Satisfactory	Students do have opportunities to choose elements of program content in some extension activities, in the creation of the newspaper, and in designing a web page for a conservation group.

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
- Grade 10
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    - FOR1010: Forest and Society
    - FOR1100: Forest Use and Protection
- Grade 11
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  - Technological Education
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    - FOR 2070: Sustainable Fibre Harvesting & PracticesMaking a Difference
    - FOR2030: Regulating Alberta Forests
    - FOR2060: Forest Management
British Columbia
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- Grade 11
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  - Social Studies
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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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    - Human Geography 12: Human activities alter landscapes in a variety of ways.
Manitoba
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    - Geographic Issues of the 21st Century: Natural Resources
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New Brunswick
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- Grade 12
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    - Introduction to Environmental Science 120: Investigating Environmental Issues
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    - Canadian Geography 120: Patterns and Systems in the Human and Natural World
Newfoundland & Labrador
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- Grade 10
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    - Canadian Geography 1202: Natural and Human Systems
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    - Environmental Science 3205: Land Use & the Environment
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Northwest Territories
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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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    - Environmental Science 12: Sustainable land use is essential to meet the needs of a growing population
Nova Scotia
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    - Science 10: Sustainability of Ecosystems
Nunavut
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Ontario
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    - Exploring Canadian Geography: Physical Geography and Physical Processes in Canada
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    - Environmental Science (Univ/College Prep.) Scientific Solutions to Contemporary Environmental Challenges
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    - The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep) : Ecological Systems: Interactions and Interdependence
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    - The Environment & Resource Management (Workplace Preparation): Human-Environment Interactions
Prince Edward Island
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    - Science 431A: Life Science, Sustainability of Ecosystems
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Quebec
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Yukon Territory
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- Grade 11
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    - 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
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Canada's Boreal Forest: Tradition and Transition - Vol. 8

Canada's Boreal Forest

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Description

General Assessment

Sustainability Education Principles

Pedagogical Approaches

Relevant Curriculum Units

ExemplaryClassroom Resources

Reviewed By Teachers For Teachers

Canada's Boreal Forest: Tradition and Transition - Vol. 8

Canada's Boreal Forest

Print this review

Description

General Assessment

Sustainability Education Principles

Pedagogical Approaches

Relevant Curriculum Units

Exemplary
Classroom
Resources

Reviewed By Teachers
For Teachers