Grade Level

Secondary 1

Time Required

Four 40 minute periods, depending upon the availability of computers.

Curriculum Connection

Quebec Education Program, Secondary Education, Cycle One

• Competency 3, constructs his/her consciousness of global citizenship

Link to Canadian National Geography Standards

Essential Elements – Environment and Society, Grades 6 to 8

• limits and opportunities of the physical environment for human activities

Geographic Skills – Organizing Geographic Information, Grades 6 to 8

• prepare various forms of diagrams, tables and charts to organize and display geographic information

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 as outlined in the student worksheet.

• Explore Our Maps

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

Environment » Forests » Forest Disturbances » Forest Fire Severity Level Map

Environment » Forests » Forest Disturbances » Forest Fires Map

Environment » Forests » Forest Disturbances » Presence of Humans Map

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

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

Environment » Forests » Forests and the Economy » Sawmills Map

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

Environment » Forests » Forests in Canada » Forested Ecozones Map

Environment » Forests Fires » Fire danger Rating, 2004 Map

Environment » Natural Hazards » Major Forest Fires Map

Economy » Resource Reliant Communities, 1996 » Forest-Reliant Communities, 1996 Map

Economy » Electric Power Generating Stations, 1997 » Forest Industry Generating Stations, 1997 Map

Reference Maps » Canada » National Parks Map

• Learning Resources

Atlas of Canada Glossary

Additional Resources

• computers lab with Internet Access and Printer
• student worksheet
• chart samples (below)

Main Objective

The primary goal of this lesson is to have students look at the social space of a territory and learn how the physical environment affects human activity. They will use the Atlas of Canada Web site at atlas.gc.ca

Learning Outcomes

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

• access and navigate the Atlas of Canada Web site
• read the maps’ supporting textual descriptions and their legends
• gather and interpret information from maps
• work in cooperative groups
• share their knowledge through student created projects

Introduction

Teacher Activity

• Review Atlas of Canada to become familiar with material.
• Introduce students to the Atlas of Canada website at atlas.gc.ca

Student Activity

• Browse the Atlas of Canada.
• Choose topic: Fire or Land Use.
• Choose a partner.

Lesson Development

Teacher Activity

• Show students how to access maps using Explore Our Maps and Reference Maps sections of the Web site.
• Show how to use the Read more about this map link and the Get Info from Map tool above the maps.
• Show the students samples of graphs, charts, and tables.
• Explain project to students using samples found at end of lesson plan.

Student Activity

• Students follow the directions on the worksheet sample.
• Print corresponding maps and written material from the Atlas of Canada.
• Choose material and make charts, graphs or tables to display information.

Conclusion

Teacher Activity

• Check student completed projects.

Student Activity

• Present projects, orally using charts, graphs or tables. (Students may hand write or use computer for final project.)

The student worksheet is printed separately for distribution to students.

• Student Worksheet – Environment: Forestry

1. Students could list a number of jobs that are found in the forestry sector based on information gathered.
2. Students could collect information on how people adapt to living in an environment with forest fires, floods, frost, and/or short growing seasons.

• Evaluation of written projects: diagrams, charts and tables.
• Evaluation of oral presentation of project.
• Evaluation: Cooperative groups.
• Standard test could be made up of the student created questions and answers.
• Evaluate lesson extension, if assigned.

• PDF version (Adobe Acrobat Reader required)