Grade Level

Grade 7

Time Required

90 to 120 minutes

Curriculum Connection

Northwest Territories Grade 7 – The North Circumpolar World

• geography of the North Circumpolar World
• connections: Canada and the North Circumpolar World

Link to Canadian National Geography Standards

Essential Element #2 – Places and Regions

• physical and human characteristics of places and regions in Canada and the World

Essential Element #4 – Human Systems

• types and patterns of human settlement
• patterns of culture in Canada and the World
• types and patterns of economic activity

Geographic Skill #2 – Acquiring Geographic Information

• use maps to collect and/or compile geographic information

Geographic Skill #4 – Analysing Geographic Information

• interpret information obtained from 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:

• Advanced Search

Search for the location of a place on a map option

• Explore Our Maps

Reference Maps » International Outline » North Circumpolar Region Map

Reference Maps » International » North Circumpolar Region Map

Reference Maps » Canada » Political Divisions Map

Reference Maps » Canada » Political Divisions (interactive) Map

People & Society » Aboriginal Population » Percentage of Aboriginal Population by Census Division, 1996 Map

People & Society » Environment » Land » Permafrost Map

• Learning Resources

Facts About Canada » Nunavut Communities, 1999

Additional Resources

• computer lab with Internet access
• student worksheet and North Circumpolar Region Outline map

Main Objective

Students will use the online Atlas of Canada to successfully conduct guided research about the geography and people of the North Circumpolar Region of Canada as a case study.

Learning Outcomes

By the conclusion of the activity, students will be able to:

• access and use the Atlas of Canada Web site to research Canada’s North Circumpolar Region
• locate, define and describe the North Circumpolar Region
• understand the physical and human characteristics of Canada’s North Circumpolar Region
• understand the challenges people face living in the North Circumpolar Region of Canada and how people have adapted to the way of life dictated by the environment
• understand the relationship between the geography and culture of Canada’s North Circumpolar Region

Introduction

Teacher Activity

• Introduce the Atlas of Canada Web site as the research tool students will use to find and analyse geographic information about Canada’s North Circumpolar Region.

Student Activity

• Give students an opportunity to ask questions to clarify understanding of the activity.

Lesson Development

Teacher Activity

• Distribute the Student Worksheet and the outline map to students (Outline map may be printed from the Atlas of Canada Web site by following: Explore Our Maps » Reference Maps » International Outline » North Circumpolar Region Map).
• Review the importance of carefully following 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 each activity.

Conclusion

Teacher Activity

• Collect the completed worksheets.

Student Activity

• Students submit worksheets to be evaluated.

The student worksheet is printed separately for distribution to students.

• Student Worksheet – Canada and the North Circumpolar World
• Table – Physical and Human Characteristics of Arctic Bay

Discuss the worksheet answers through socratic style questioning in the following lesson. If desired, refer to the optional lesson extension to write a press release defending the recent north circumpolar tour by Canada’s Governor General.

Evaluate the student’s understanding of the concepts by grading the worksheet.

• PDF version (Adobe Acrobat Reader required)