Evolution, Diversity and the Sustainability of Life

Wetland Ecosystems III

Description

General Assessment

Question	Response
What skills does this resource explicitly teach?	Using chemical and biological indicators of ecosystem health Using a dichotomous key
What important ideas are implied by the resource, but not taught explicitly?	Learning about wetlands is more about information Wetlands need to be protected
To enhance this resource the following changes are strongly recommended:	Apply the same case-study approach used in lesson one to the other lessons in the resource. E.g. in lesson two, incorporate chemical and biological indicator data into a pollution case study with competing economic, social, as well as environmental interests at stake. Lesson one has solid sustainability education characteristics. Lesson six could easily be improved to have sustainability education characteristics and should be clearly structured to achieve this result. This would then validate lessons two through five by having students use what they have learned to complete their assessment in the field and to provide context for ongoing action.
To enhance this resource the following changes would be beneficial:	Do lesson one about snow goose (or a local species) after students have done some initial learning about wetlands Question 3 in lesson two (diagram about causes of development and impacts) needs to be better developed in order for students to gain anything from the exercise. Add more structure, guidance and activities to lesson six so that students are sure to apply the knowledge and practice the skills they have gained in lessons two through five in the field (using keys vs. field guides to identify invertebrates; using the identified invertebrates as biological indicators; correlating chemical and biological indicators, etc.). This field trip might better be designed as a case study to determine the relative health of the wetland. This would allow students to then assess human impacts and take community action to mediate, protect or continue to monitor the site. Before the class, check that any and all web links that you wand your students to use are working.

Sustainability Education Principles

Principle	Rating	Explanation
Bias Minimization	Mediocre	The resource presents a western scientific worldview.
Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions	Mediocre	This resource explores social and some political aspects of environment; the onus is on the teacher to bring moral, ethical and economic issues forward.
Respects Complexity	Mediocre
Action Experience	Poor/Not considered
Action Skills	Mediocre	Students can learn skills to deepen their understanding of responsible citizenship through debate and field study.
Empathy & Respect for Humans	Poor/Not considered	The focus is on the physical and biotic environment, not on diverse genders, ethnic groups, social groups, or other groups of humans.
Personal Affinity with Earth	Mediocre	The field trip will be great. Other opportunities could be built in; teacher should be encouraged to do activities outside. Lesson 1 - especially the video - illustrates the interconnectedness of humans and non humans
Locally-Focused	Mediocre	The snow goose lesson is very good. It would be better if Ducks Unlimited gave several lessons to choose from and teachers/students chose the species most relevant to their local area. Lesson 3: local species should be used (shark, dolphin, salmon...) Local field trip is good.
Past, Present & Future	Mediocre	Lesson 1 connects past, present and future.

Pedagogical Approaches

Principle	Rating	Explanation
Open-Ended Instruction	Mediocre
Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Learning	Mediocre
Discovery Learning	Poor/Not considered
Values Clarification	Mediocre	Except for the referendum aspect to lesson 1, there is not much further exploration of values; the resource emphasizes science applications.
Differentiated Instruction	Good	The resource includes a field trip, a creative "create-an-alien" exercise, a film screening, as well as reading and graphing activities.
Experiential Learning	Mediocre	Only the field trip in lesson 7 achieves this; all other lessons do not strive for experiential learning.
Cooperative Learning	Mediocre
Assessment & Evaluation	Mediocre	Through the lesson summaries, presentations and discussions, students can demonstrate their learning. No formal assessment tools are provided.
Peer Teaching	Mediocre
Case Studies	Mediocre	Only in the lesson 1- the snow goose activity.
Locus of Control	Mediocre	Alien activity only.

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 9
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Environmental Chemistry
- Grade 11
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Biology
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Ecosystems and Population Change
British Columbia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Biology
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Ecology
Manitoba
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Dynamics of Ecosystems
New Brunswick
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Sustainability of Ecosystems
- Grade 12
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Environmental Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Resources
    - Structure and Functions of Ecosystems
Newfoundland & Labrador
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Science 1206: Sustainability of Ecosystems
- Grade 11
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Science 2200: Ecosystems
Northwest Territories
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 9
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science (IOP)
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Understanding Our Environment
- Grade 11
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Biology
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Ecosystems and Population Change
Nova Scotia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Science 10: Sustainability of Ecosystems
Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Biology
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Ecosystems and Population Change
Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 9
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Geography
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Geography of Canada: Human-Environment Interactions
  - Geography (Applied)
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Geography of Canada: Human-Environment Interactions
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Biology: Sustainable Ecosystems
  - Science (Applied)
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Biology: Sustainable Ecosystems and Human Activity
- Grade 11
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Environmental Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Environmental Science (Univ/College Prep.) Scientific Solutions to Contemporary Environmental Challenges
    - Environmental Science (Workplace Prep.) Human Impact on the Environment
- Grade 12
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Geography
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - The Environment & Resource Management:Human-Environment Interactions
  - Geography (Applied)
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - The Environment & Resource Management: Human-Environment Interactions
Prince Edward Island
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Science 421A: Sustainability of Ecosystems
    - Science 431A: Ecosystems
Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Applied Science & Technology:The Living World
    - Environmental Science & Technology: The Living World
    - Science and the Environment: The Living World
  - Science & Technology
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Science & Technology:The Living World
Saskatchewan
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Science 10: Life Science: Sustainability of Ecosystems
Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Life Science: Sustainability of Ecosystems

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Evolution, Diversity and the Sustainability of Life

Wetland Ecosystems III

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Description

General Assessment

Sustainability Education Principles

Pedagogical Approaches

Relevant Curriculum Units

A project of

with support from

Evolution, Diversity and the Sustainability of Life

Wetland Ecosystems III

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Description

General Assessment

Sustainability Education Principles

Pedagogical Approaches

Relevant Curriculum Units

A project of

with support from