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Description
The Invasive Species Guide is an educational resource designed to help teachers introduce students to the impact of invasive species on ecosystems, particularly in Ontario. It explains what invasive species are, how they spread—often through human activity—and why they threaten biodiversity by outcompeting native plants and animals. The guide highlights key examples such as common buckthorn, phragmites, emerald ash borer, and the Asian long-horned beetle, showing how each disrupts natural habitats. It also offers practical classroom activities and citizen science opportunities that connect learning with real-world conservation, encouraging students to identify, report, and help prevent the spread of invasive species.
Students will
- brainstorm about what they know or have heard about invasive species and “think-pair-share” their ideas
- research a single invasive plant or animal species, including where it came from, how it got here, what other species it resembles, and how it affects native plants and the natural environment
- draw a creative “Wanted” poster to illustrate the invasive species and share their findings using these three headings: “known as,” “last seen,” “crimes committed
- examine how invasive species impact Indigenous traditions and map areas in Ontario where Indigenous territories and invasive species ranges overlap. (gr.5)
- create a food web with native plants (e.g., ash tree, cattails) and then replace them with an invasive species (e.g., phragmites) to compare how invasives alter food webs and reduce biodiversity (gr. 6)
- create a mind map centered on “human introduction of buckthorn.” They add at least two subtopics (e.g., loss of biodiversity, increase in agricultural pests) and two related sub-subtopics for each, showing how invasive buckthorn creates a web of environmental and agricultural issues (gr.7)
- work in groups to build a wetland model using a pan, clay, sponge (representing cattail roots), sand, and water. They first observe how water is absorbed with sponge roots, then replace the sponge with sand to see how water availability changes. The exercise demonstrates how invasive phragmites can dry out wetlands, affecting native plants and animals, and prompts discussion on these impacts.(gr.8)
The resource offers suggested student actions to help prevent the spread of invasive species and includes links to additional resources for further learning.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
The guide provides activities for grades five to eight, along with excellent background information for teachers on invasive species affecting Ontario’s forests and conservation areas. It emphasizes environmental stewardship, critical thinking, and community action, supporting educators in fostering ecological awareness and responsibility among their students. Although designed for Ontario educators, the resource is easily adaptable for use in other provinces.
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
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 5
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened by investigating natural systems and their interactions
- Grade 6
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- Science
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- Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
- Grade 7
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 8
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Northwest Territories
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- Grade 7
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- Science
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- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Science 7: Evolution by natural selection provides an explanation for the diversity and survival of living things.
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- Science
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- Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
- Nova Scotia
- 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
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- Science
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- Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
- Ontario
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- Grade 5
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- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Earth and Space Systems: Conservation of Energy & Resources
- Grade 6
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- Science & Technology
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- Life Systems: Biodiversity
- Grade 8
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- Science & Technology
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- Earth and Space Systems: Water Systems
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
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- Grade 5
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- Science & Technology
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- Living Things
- Grade 6
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- Science & Technology
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- Living Things
- Grade 7
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- Science & Technology
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- The Living World
- Saskatchewan
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- Grade 6
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 6: Life Science: Diversity of Living Things
- Grade 7
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 7: Life Science: Interactions within Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 8: Water Systems on Earth
- Yukon Territory
Themes Addressed
Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)
- Climate Change
Ecosystems (3)
- Appreciating the Natural World
- Biodiversity
- Invasive Species