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

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 Canadian Aboriginal 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 halves then present the central concepts to each other.

General Assessment

Question	Response
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
What important, related ideas/issues are not addressed in this resource?	The financial cost of managing and monitoring forest resources, and their extraction is not addressed The role that industry takes in minimizing fragmentation, preserving habitat, and resource management How tourism and recreational activities have disrupted natural processes and caused fragmentation How hydroelectric dams have disrupted waterways and changed landscapes, thus affecting habitat
What important ideas are implied by the resource, but not taught explicitly?	The value of the Boreal Forest with regards to economic prosperity, recreational and cultural opportunities, and its role in providing habitat to so many diverse species, has been overlooked by many Canadians Climate change is one of the biggest threats to sustaining ecosystems and maintaining biodiversity
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
To enhance this resource the following changes would be beneficial:	Provide an out-of-doors experience- even if it is a visit to a local forested area (Acadian forest) 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 First Nations 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

Sustainability Education Principles

Principle	Rating	Explanation
Bias Minimization	Mediocre	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	Mediocre	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.
Action Experience	Poor/Not considered	Poor- there are no authentic action experiences
Action Skills	Mediocre	This resource is really about promoting awareness and knowledge, which will aid in future action. Students are not taught specific skills necessary for taking that action.
Empathy & Respect for Humans	Mediocre
Personal Affinity with Earth	Poor/Not considered	Poor- There are no "out-of-doors" experiences.
Locally-Focused	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	Mediocre	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	Mediocre	Although teacher directed, students have ample opportunities through activity completion, research, and discussion questions to appreciate the importance of the Boreal Forest to Canadians.
Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Learning	Mediocre	Although mainly a science/geography focused resource, it does contain learning opportunities in the subject areas of math, language arts, art, and technology.
Discovery Learning	Mediocre
Values Clarification	Mediocre
Differentiated Instruction	Mediocre	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	Mediocre	Simulations, games and worksheet activities are the main experiences.
Cooperative Learning	Mediocre
Assessment & Evaluation	Mediocre	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	Mediocre
Case Studies	Poor/Not considered	Poor- There are no relevant case studies used.
Locus of Control	Mediocre	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.

Step 1Select a province
Alberta
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
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  - Science
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    - Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 10
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  - Forestry
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    - Forests Forever 1
    - Why Forestry?
- Grade 11
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  - Forestry
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Forests Forever 2
    - Making a Difference
    - Managing Alberta Forests
    - Users in the Forest
British Columbia
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- Grade 7
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  - Science
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    - Ecosystems
- Grade 11
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- Grade 12
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    - Forest Ecology
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Manitoba
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    - Unit 5 - Conservation of Biodiversity
New Brunswick
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- Grade 7
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    - Canadian Geography 120:Managing Natural Resources
Newfoundland & Labrador
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- Grade 10
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  - Geography
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    - Canadian Geography 1202: Natural Resources
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    - Science 1206: Sustainability of Ecosystems
- Grade 12
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  - Environmental Science
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    - Environmental Science 3205: Land Use & the Environment
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    - World Geography 3200/3202: Ecosystems
Northwest Territories
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- Grade 7
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    - Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 9
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    - Understanding Our Environment
Nova Scotia
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- Grade 10
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    - Science 10: Sustainability of Ecosystems
Nunavut
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- Grade 6
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    - Life Systems: Diversity of Living Things
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Ontario
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- Grade 6
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    - Biodiversity
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    - Geography of Canada: Human-Environment Interactions
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    - Environmental Science (Univ/College Prep.) Scientific Solutions to Contemporary Environmental Challenges
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    - Physical Geography: Patterns, Processes, and Interactions(Univ./College Prep.) Human-Environment Interactions
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    - The Environment & Resource Management: Human-Environment Interactions
Prince Edward Island
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- Grade 10
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    - Science 421A: Sustainability of Ecosystems
    - Science 431A: Ecosystems
Quebec
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- Grade 10
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    - Applied Science & Technology:The Living World
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Saskatchewan
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    - Science 7: Life Science: Interactions within Ecosystems
- Grade 10
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    - Science 10: Life Science: Sustainability of Ecosystems
Yukon Territory
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- Grade 7
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    - Ecosystems
- Grade 10
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  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Life Science: Sustainability of Ecosystems
- Grade 11
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  - Science & Technology
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    - Science Module: Natural Resources and the Environment
  - Sustainable Resources
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    - Forestry
- Grade 12
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  - Geography
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    - Resources and Environmental Sustainability
  - Sustainable Resources (Forestry)
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Forest Ecology
    - Forest Products
    - Forest Resources and Society
    - Sustainable Forestry Opportunities and Challenges

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

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Description

General Assessment

Sustainability Education Principles

Pedagogical Approaches

Relevant Curriculum Units

A project of

with support from

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

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Description

General Assessment

Sustainability Education Principles

Pedagogical Approaches

Relevant Curriculum Units

A project of

with support from