Grade Level

Grades 7 to 8

Time Required

100 minutes – 3 to 4 class periods

Curriculum Connection

Ontario, Grade 7 Geography, Natural Resources Unit

Link to Canadian National Geography Standards

Essential Element #2 – Places and Regions

• changes in places and regions over time
• local natural environment

Geographic Skill #4 – Analyzing Geographic Information

• interpret information obtained from maps, images, graphs, charts as well as use statistics and other quantitative techniques to evaluate geographic information

Atlas of Canada Resources

Go to the Atlas of Canada Web site found at: atlas.gc.ca
A base map of Canada is required for students to use in this lesson and can be found at:

• Explore Our Maps

Reference Maps » Canada Outline » Coastline and Boundaries of Canada Map (click on View this map as a JPEG and then click on Printable Version)

The following parts of the Web site will be accessed by students during the lesson:

• Explore Our Maps

Environment » Forests » Forests and People » Population and Forested Areas Map

Environment » Forests » Forests and the Economy » Productive Forest Land Use Map

Environment » Forests » Forests and the Economy » Reliant Communities, 1996 Map

Environment » Forests » Forest Disturbances » Presence of Humans Map

Environment » Forests » Forest Disturbances » Forest Fires Map

Environment » Forests » Forests Studied and Protected » Model Forests Map

Environment » Forests » Forests Studied and Protected » Protecting Forests Map

• Learning Resources

Atlas of Canada Glossary

Main Objective

The primary goal of this lesson is to introduce students to the scope of the forest industry in Canada as well as defining the important forest regions involved. Students will be asked to critically assess the economic and environmental sustainability of the industry.

Learning Outcomes

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

• identify patterns of this natural resource using thematic maps
• demonstrate an understanding of how forestry has contributed to Canada’s economic development
• present and defend a point of view on how this resource should be used
• locate and record relevant information from a variety of secondary sources

Introduction

Teacher Activity

Prior knowledge required:

• the definition of a natural resource
• the concepts of renewable, non-renewable and flow resources

Draw out a few key statistics regarding the forest industry in Canada from the following Web site in order to set the stage for the activity. Present these facts on overhead or poster board to the class to ignite discussion.

• The State of Canada’s Forests: www.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca

Student Activity

• Students complete a worksheet, or class brainstorming session.
• Generally discuss the importance of forestry as a resource-based industry to Canada’s economy.

Lesson Development

Teacher Activity

• Introduce students to the Atlas of Canada.
• Hand out a blank Coastline and Boundaries of Canada Map (outline) in order for students to create their own thematic map.
• Hand out student worksheet.

Student Activity

• Students follow the instructions on the worksheet on Canada’s Forests and Resource Management, filling in answers as required.

Conclusion

Teacher Activity

• Go over the answers with the class.
• Collect completed maps.

Student Activity

• Correct the completed worksheet.
• Hand in completed map.

The student worksheet is printed separately for distribution to students.

• Student Worksheet – Canada’s Forests and Resource Management

Students can write a short editorial piece on their point of view regarding sustainability of the forestry industry. The goal of the editorial is to influence readers to the author’s point of view.

To get started on this extension, a wonderful template for editorial writing can be found at: www.jteacher.com/PDF/melton/editorial_rubric.pdf This site also contains a rubric for assessing the end product that can be modified to suit.

Use the assessment rubric, to assess the forest regions map in order to ensure complete notes for future reference.

• PDF version(Adobe Acrobat Reader required)