Grade Level

Grades 1 to 5

Time Required

Approximately 40 minutes is required to use the online Atlas. Extra time will be required to complete the written component and may be given as a language arts assignment or an extension assignment for social studies.

Curriculum Connection

British Columbia, Social Studies Kindergarten to Grade 7 – Environment Category; Grades 2 to 3

• create and interpret simple maps using cardinal directions, symbols and simple keys

Link to Canadian National Geography Standards

Essential Element #1 – The World in Spatial Terms (Grades 2 to 3 standard)

• location and distribution of physical and human features

Geographic Skill #2 – Acquiring Geographic Information (Kindergarten to Grade 5 skill)

• locate, gather and process information from a variety of primary and secondary sources including maps

Atlas of Canada Resources

Go to the Atlas of Canada Web site found at: atlas.gc.ca The following parts of the Web site will be accessed by students during the lesson:

• Explore Our Maps

Reference Maps » Provincial and Territorial » Yukon Territory Map

Reference Maps » Canada » Political Divisions (interactive) Map

Additional Resources, Materials and Equipment

• computer lab with Internet access
• Adobe Acrobat to access the PDF map (free download available from the Atlas of Canada Web site). If this is not possible, an alternate image version, JPEG, is also available.
• atlas instructions and worksheet (for the student)
• coloured pencils to draw symbols

Main Objective

Students will use the online Atlas of Canada to find basic information about the Yukon Territory using cardinal directions, symbols and the legend.

Learning Outcomes

• access and use the Atlas of Canada Web site as a research tool
• describe the relative location of the Yukon Territory in Canada
• interpret the online Atlas using cardinal directions, symbols and the legend
• record data about specific physical and human characteristics using the Explore Our Maps section of the Atlas of Canada Web site
• write a creative letter as a summary of the information they have gathered

Introduction

Teacher Activity

• Introduce the geographic diversity of the Yukon Territory with a video clip or short story.
• Introduce the online Atlas as another tool to find geographic information about the Yukon Territory.

Student Activity

• Participate in discussion and/or take notes on background information required.

Lesson Development

Teacher Activity

• Distribute the student worksheet and Instructions worksheet to students.
• Review instructions and help students access the Web site.
• Monitor and assist students as they work through the activity.

Student Activity

• Students complete the worksheet as they work through the activity.

Conclusion

Teacher Activity

• Collect the worksheet answers and letter.

Student Activity

• Complete the worksheet and write pen pal letter using the information gathered.

The student worksheet is printed separately for distribution to students.

• Student Worksheet – Introduction to the Yukon Territory

This lesson could be used to introduce a larger research project on the Yukon Territory. In addition, students can research the diversity of the Yukon Territory’s National Parks as there is a link provided when they are gathering information in this lesson.

Collect and evaluate the worksheet.

• PDF version (Adobe Acrobat Reader required)