Grade Level

Senior 2 (Grade 10)

Time Required

60 to 120 minutes depending on pre-existing student knowledge and level of computer comfort

Curriculum Connection

Manitoba Senior 2, North America: A Geographic Perspective
(Note: The lesson will be compatible with the new S2 curriculum, Geographic Issues in the 21st Century, to be implemented province-wide in 2005.)

Link to Canadian National Geography Standards

Essential Element #1 – The World in Spatial Terms

• map, globe and atlas use

Essential Element #4 – Human Systems

• impact of human migration

Essential Element #5 – Environment and Society

• global effects on modifications of physical environment

Geographic Skill #2 – Acquiring Geographic Information

• systematically locate and gather information from a variety of primary and secondary sources

Geographic Skill #4 – Analyzing Geographic Information

• make inferences and draw conclusions from maps and other geographic representations
• use the process of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and explanation to interpret geographic information from variety of sources

Atlas of Canada Resources

The following maps, found on the Atlas of Canada Web site at atlas.gc.ca will be accessed and used by students during the lesson:

• Explore Our Maps

Environment » Ecology » Ecological Framework » Terrestrial Ecozones Map

Environment » Ecology » Threats to the Ecosystem » Species at Risk Map

People and Society » Population » Population Density, 1996 Map

Additional Resources, Materials and Equipment

• print atlases
• computer lab with Internet access and colour printer if available
• review the student worksheet, Terrestrial Ecozones, Population Density and Species at Risk

Main Objective

There are two primary objectives

• enable the students to navigate and use the online Atlas of Canada
• understand the cause and effect relationship between human settlement and the natural environment and wildlife species

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the lesson the students will be able to

• access and navigate the Atlas of Canada Web site
• use the Explore Our Maps section to locate the necessary maps for this lesson
• find specific information about Canada’s terrestrial ecozones using the Get Info from Map tool on the interactive maps
• group Canada’s terrestrial ecozones into fewer categories based on their similarities
• draw conclusions about the impact of human settlement on the natural world and wildlife species

Introduction

Teacher Activity

• assign students into groups of 3
• ask students to identify 2 benefits of using the online atlas

Student Activity

• ask students to refer to their print atlases and list 5 different types of thematic maps

Lesson Development

Teacher Activity

• instruct the students to work through the student worksheet, remind the students that each student in the group is responsible for locating and downloading one map that will be used in the activity
• guide and assist students where necessary

Student Activity

• students will work through the instructions and answer the questions as detailed on the student worksheet

Conclusion

Teacher Activity

• review the answers with the students

Student Activity

• answer questions on the worksheet

The student worksheet is printed separately for distribution to students.

• Student Worksheet – Terrestrial Ecozones, Population Density and Species at Risk

• follow-up with a lesson exploring the interactive maps in the Atlas of Canada to illustrate the value of the online atlas
• focus on other maps that can be used to draw conclusions
• assign an essay on the relationship between population growth, urban expansion and their impact on wildlife ranges and the endangerment of wildlife species

• evaluate the student worksheet
• have the students create their own (peer level) online lesson using the Atlas of Canada
• evaluate follow-up assignment

• PDF version (Adobe Acrobat Reader required)