Download Canada...a visual journey

THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – GRADE 6
Canada...a visual journey
Lesson Overview
Students will work in groups to learn about Canada’s six natural regions (ecozones). They will create
a visual representation of each region on a large wall map of Canada and present the information
gathered to classmates.
Grade Level
Grades 6-8. This lesson could be easily modified for other levels. It could be used as a Big/Little
Buddy activity or set up so that several classes add their findings to the wall map to complete it.
Time Required
Two 45-minute classes. Note: If used early in the year, this lesson would provide a foundation upon
which other countries and their natural regions could be studied.
Curriculum Connection
Western Canadian Protocol for Social Studies: NWT Grade 6 Social Studies
Link to Canadian National Geography Standards
Essential Element #1 (Grades 6-8) - The World in Spatial Terms
 Distribution of major human and physical features at country and global scales
 Map types
Essential Element #3 (Grades 6-8) - Physical Systems
 Ecozones (major ecological communities such as boreal forest, polar regions, grassland, wetlands
and desert)
Geographic Skill #2 (Grades 6-8) - Acquiring Geographic Information:
 Use maps to collect and/or compile geographic information.
Geographic Skill #3 (Grades 6-8) - Organizing Geographic Information
 Integrate various types of materials to organize geographic information.
The Canadian Atlas
 The following pages of the atlas provide essential information for this lesson:
Pages
Section
Pages
Section
16-17
Six Natural Regions
24-25
Boreal Shield
18-19
The Far North: Arctic and Taiga
26-27
Mixedwood Plains
20-21
Pacific and Mountains
28-29
Atlantic Region
22-23
Central Plains
 Visit the Canadian Atlas website at www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas to view online versions of
these sections.
Canadian Council For Geographic Education
1
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – GRADE 6
Additional Resources, Materials and Equipment Required
 Large wall map of Canada (hand made or commercial)
 Student Handouts: 1. Research Outline 2. Blank map of Canada obtained from:
http://atlas.gc.ca/site/english/maps/reference/outlinecanada/canada02
 Multiple sets of the attached Natural Regions cards printed on coloured paper or card stock. The
number of sets needed will depend on the size of the group. Option: On the back of the card, glue
a picture of the region named on the front. Download the pictures from the Canadian Atlas
website at www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas.
 Play dough or modeling clay (6 different colours; co-ordinate with card colours)
 Sticky Tack
 Old magazines (Canadian Geographic, National Geographic, Federal, Provincial and Territorial
Tourism publications and pamphlets)
Main Objective
Students will be introduced to the concept of Natural Regions (ecozones) through hands-on, cooperative group activities. A pictorial overview of these regions on a large wall map of Canada and
key points of each region will be presented. This new knowledge will provide a basis for comparison to
other countries studied throughout the year.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
 Label a map of Canada with the location of its six natural regions.
 Identify 5 key points of each of the six natural regions studied.
 Appreciate the diverse nature of Canada's natural regions/ecozones.
 Work co-operatively in groups to plan and organize work assignments.
 Demonstrate ability to take on responsibility and contribute to the group effort.
The Lesson
Teacher Activity
Introduction
Student Activity
First Class: Teacher Preparation
1. Create a bulletin board area for the
large wall map of Canada in the
classroom.
2. Photocopy a map of Canada and the
Research Outline package for each
student and one for each group.
3. Prepare Natural Regions Cards.
4. Collect required materials and
resources.
5. Plan group make-up (random or
teacher selected).
Canadian Council For Geographic Education
2
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – GRADE 6
The Lesson
Teacher Activity
Introduction
Student Activity
First Class: Teacher Introduction
First Class: Student Introduction
1. Hand out Natural Regions cards (one
to each student).
1. Locate work groups and discuss
assignment as per instructions.
2. Direct students to find their work
group by locating others with the
same card.
2. In groups, plan and organize today’s
individual workload and contribution
to the group effort.
3. In groups, have students identify
areas of Canada in which they
believe this region is located by
placing their cards on the wall map
with sticky tack.
4. Have groups briefly discuss the
rationale for their choices.
5. Hand out the map of Canada and the
Research Outline package.
6. Review lesson expectations and key
points to be covered as per Student
Handouts.
7. If possible, arrange to have a
Proxima Projector available in order
to provide visual of available website
data which is linked to pages of The
Canadian Atlas.
Lesson
Development
First Class: Teacher Activity
1st Class Student Activity:
1. Hand out copies of relevant pages
from The Canadian Atlas and/or
provide students with internet access
to the website.
1. Use The Canadian Atlas pages as a
source of information on the
assigned natural region.
2. Circulate and discuss various aspects
of student findings. (See Research
Handout)
3. Provide magazines, pamphlets and
materials for students to cut pictures
that represent their natural region.
4. Monitor accuracy.
5. Conduct mini lessons as required;
provide feedback on information
gathered.
6. Provide 5 minutes at the end of class
to plan presentations.
Canadian Council For Geographic Education
3
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – GRADE 6
The Lesson (cont’d)
Teacher Activity
Lesson
Development
7. Collect group handouts; review for
accuracy.
(cont’d)
8. Assign homework: find and/or draw
additional pictures to complete wall
map collage; prepare for individual
contribution to group presentation.
Second Class: Teacher Preparation
1. If possible, arrange to have Proxima
available for student presentations
so website data can be projected for
class viewing. This class may be held
in the computer lab.
Student Activity
2. Complete the Research Outline
Handout and record region location
on map. Note: Both individual and
group copies will be required.
3. Outline region area on the wall map
with modeling clay.
4. Cut out relevant pictures and put
them in place on the wall map.
5. Plan presentation responsibilities and
identify they types and the number
of pictures needed to complete wall
map.
2. Copy handouts for students to record
information on during presentations:
one page for each of the six regions
and a blank map of Canada.
3. Ensure students will be working from
accurate findings- check information
gathered last class.
Second Class: Teacher Introduction
1. Initiate brief discussion on the
actual location of regions compared
to initial predictions; advise groups
to comment on this in their
presentations.
2. Direct students to use the first 10
minutes of this class to complete the
wall map and organize their
presentation.
Second Class: Student Introduction
1. Bring pictures to complete wall map.
2. Review and prepare for group
presentation.
3. Circulate and provide feedback.
Second Class: Teacher Activity
1. Provide handouts for students to
record information.
Second Class: Student Activity
2. Review procedure and expectations
for presentations, follow-up
questions and student note taking.
1. As a group, plan and organize work
assignments to complete the wall
map and prepare for the
presentation.
3. Conduct evaluation during
presentations for content and
effectiveness.
2. Present findings to the class while
the audience records information and
participates in follow-up discussions.
4. Provide feedback; make connections
with places and pictures on the wall
map.
Canadian Council For Geographic Education
4
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – GRADE 6
The Lesson (cont’d)
Teacher Activity
Conclusion
Student Activity
Summary:
Each group will have contributed to a
pictorial overview of Canada’s six
natural regions on the classroom wall
map and made presentations to the
class identifying key points of their
respective region.
All students will have completed
information outlines about each of the
six natural regions based on the
findings presented, and completed
individual maps of Canada showing the
location of each region.
Teacher Activity:
Student Activity:
1. Lead final discussion to highlight key
points and make connections
between the presentations and the
completed wall map.
1. Participate in final discussion.
2. Collect student handouts to assess
quality and quantity of information
gathered.
2. Complete Student Research Handout
and Map of Canada.
3. Hand in completed forms.
Lesson Extension
 Students can predict the type and location of these regions for the next country of study. The
format of this lesson could be extended to cover natural regions of all countries studied over the
year.
 The data collected on the area covered by the various regions may be used as the basis for a Math
lesson (area, percent, fractions, decimals).
Assessment of Student Learning
 If used as an introductory activity early in the year, assessment will focus on diagnostic and/or
formative evaluation for the purpose of determining the need for additional mini lessons, concepts
to review, geographic skills for further development and the present level of co-operative group
skills.
 In addition, content specific knowledge can be determined by marking the completed Student
Research Handouts and Map of Canada. Presentation and Audience Listening Skills can be
assessed using teacher created rubrics, checklists or anecdotal comments.
Canadian Council For Geographic Education
5
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – GRADE 6
Research Outline
Your Name:
Natural Region:
____________________________________________
Group Members:
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
% of Canada’s landmass:
4. ____________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________
Instructions:
List 3 key points in each category. Look for identifying features that highlight the unique
characteristics of your particular region.
1. Ecozone (Natural Region) Overview:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Landforms:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Canadian Council For Geographic Education
6
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – GRADE 6
3. Climate:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Vegetation:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. Wildlife:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Resources and Industries:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Canadian Council For Geographic Education
7
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – GRADE 6
Natural Regions Lesson Cards
Arctic &
Taiga
Pacific &
Western
Mountains
Canadian Council For Geographic Education
8
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – GRADE 6
Central
Plains
Boreal
Shield
Canadian Council For Geographic Education
9
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – GRADE 6
Mixedwood
Plains
Atlantic
Region
Canadian Council For Geographic Education
10