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Wood You Believe It?

Woodlands are a natural defence against flooding!

Elementary, Middle

Description

This educational animation highlights the important role trees play in maintaining healthy ecosystems and restoring balance in nature. Through the characters Twiggy the red squirrel and Gregory the woodpecker, the video shares engaging facts about how forests help manage water in the environment. It explains that trees, leaves, and forest soil absorb and slow down rainwater, while tree roots help the soil hold water and prevent it from quickly flowing into rivers and streams. By slowing the movement of water across the land, forests reduce the amount of water reaching rivers at the same time, which can help lower the risk of flooding in nearby communities. The video also shows how trees support wildlife, help combat climate change, and create cooler, thriving ecosystems, highlighting tree planting and forest protection as effective nature-based solutions for a more sustainable future. Although the video is based on a few examples from the United Kingdom, the concepts of forests helping to reduce flooding can easily be applied to similar ecosystems and landscapes in Canada.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This resource supports grades four to eight curriculum outcomes related to the study of biodiversity, habitats, ecosystems and human impacts on natural systems. An excellent introduction video for lessons on ecosystems, forests, the water cycle or flooding. To extend the learning students can explore examples of Canadian forests and watersheds, discuss how nature-based solutions can help reduce flooding, and investigate how planting trees and protecting forests support both flood management and biodiversity. The video could also lead to activities such as drawing diagrams to show how forests store water or researching local initiatives that protect natural areas.

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.

  • Step 1Select a province
  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • 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
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    • Grade 7
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 7: Evolution by natural selection provides an explanation for the diversity and survival of living things.
  • Manitoba
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    • Grade 4
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Habitat and Communities
        • Life Systems
    • Grade 6
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Diversity of Living Things
    • Grade 7
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Interactions Within Ecosystems
        • Life Systems
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
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    • Grade 4
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Habitats
    • Grade 6
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Diversity of Life
    • Grade 7
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Interaction of Ecosystems
    • Grade 8
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Water Systems on Earth's Surface
  • Northwest Territories
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 4
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
    • Grade 7
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 7: Evolution by natural selection provides an explanation for the diversity and survival of living things.
  • Nova Scotia
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    • Grade 4
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 4: Habitats
    • Grade 6
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      • Science
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        • Science 6: Diversity of Life
    • Grade 7
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 7: Environmental Action
    • Grade 8
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 8: Climate Change
  • Nunavut
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    • Grade 4
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Habitats & Communities
    • Grade 6
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Diversity of Living Things
    • Grade 7
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Interactions and Ecosystems
  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
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    • Grade 4
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Habitats
    • Grade 6
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Diversity of Life
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Interactions Within Ecosystems
    • Grade 8
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Water Systems on Earth
  • Quebec
  • 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
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 7: Evolution by natural selection provides an explanation for the diversity and survival of living things.

Themes Addressed

Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)

  • Climate Change

Ecosystems (2)

  • Appreciating the Natural World
  • Biodiversity

Land Use & Natural Resources (1)

  • Forests

Water (1)

  • Watershed Protection

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