Canadian Explorers Learning object La Vérendyre map Lesson overview Students will be inspired by La Vérendyre to become explorers themselves. Students will embark on a research expedition to discover the physiographic regions of Canada. They will share their findings with fellow explorers in the class and determine who found the most prosperous land. Grade level Québec Secondary III, IV, V Time required Two 75 minute periods Curriculum connection Québec, Geography of Québec and Canada III 2.1 To describe the main physiographic regions of Canada. Additional resources, materials and equipment required Story of Pierre Gaultier de Varennes et de la Vérendrye, example at : http://www.cbc.ca/history/epcontentse1ep6ch2le.html Texts and/or computer and internet access to information on physiographic regions. A useful website with a map and links to the regions is here: http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/environment/land/arm_physio_reg /1 Explorers handout (included) Chart paper and markers Main objective The main objective is for students to examine the features of Canada s physiographic regions. Students will compare and contrast features of each region, including resources, climate, wildlife, vegetation and water sources to determine which region would prove to be the most prosperous to settle. Learning outcomes By the end of the lesson, students will be able to: identify the features of physiographic regions of Canada participate in a role play and discussion about their research expedition across Canada and the findings they gathered compare features of physiographic regions and justify which region would be the most prosperous to settle
Introduction Lesson development Conclusion Teacher activity Introduce Learning Object to students and ask if they can recognise the area. Explain that these are forts established by La Vérendrye as he searched for the Western Sea. Share a short story about La Vérendrye or another explorer. Ask students why so many were eager to discover a passage to the West. Part 1 - Exploring Show students a map of the main physiographic regions of Canada and describe their locations. Assign each student to one of the following physiographic regions: Western Cordillera, Interior Plains, Canadian Shield, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands and The Appalachians. Try to assign similar numbers to each group. Students will explore their region by researching and gathering data to complete the handout. They will be sharing their expedition with other explorers. Part 2 A meeting of explorers All students assigned the same region will form a group and collate their findings. They can create a list either on a computer or on chart paper. The class of explorers gathers for a meeting, and each group shares the discoveries of their expedition across a physiographic region. Ask students to review the resources they discovered across Canada. Ask students which group discovered the most prosperous region and why. Student activity Students will share any names or landmarks they recognize on the map. They will use previous knowledge to explain why countries, or individuals, were eager to explore Canada and find a passage to the West. Students will examine map of physiographic regions and make connections to geological formations that mark each region. Students will research their assigned physiographic region and complete the handout. Remind them to use reliable sources. Students will work in groups to collate the information they collected and record it on chart paper to share with the class. Encourage students to participate in discussion of expeditions and discoveries, sharing the information they learned about a physiographic region. Students will share what resources are available in their physiographic region. Have them compare what they learned about each region and decide which region they would want to
settle if they were an explorer. Lesson extension Explore how each of the physiographic regions has been developed and how the resources have been used. Examine if our use of resources is sustainable, and how it has affected the physical and natural landscape as well as human populations. Discover how each physiographic region was formed over the geological history of Canada, including origins of landforms and periods of glaciation. Now that students have a brief knowledge of the location of different resources across Canada, more detailed instruction can be given about these resources, including minerals, water, fisheries, forests, agriculture and energy. These are topics included in Units 2-4 of the curriculum. Assessment of student learning Students can be assessed on an ongoing basis based on their participation and quality of comments during discussions. Build on previous knowledge to determine where students need more help. Explorer handout can be evaluated based on accuracy of information, organisation of ideas and detail of answers. Participation during the meeting and discussion can be based on understanding of content, synthesis of information, expression of ideas and making connections between contexts. Further reading The Canadian Atlas Online regions thematics www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas The Canadian Encyclopaedia physiographic regions http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/physiographic-regions Natural Resources Canada sustainable development http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/sustainable-development/home/2444 Link to Canadian National Standards for Geography Geographic Skills: Systematically locate and gather geographic information from a variety of primary and secondary sources. Make inferences and draw conclusions from maps and other geographic representations. Use the processes of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and explanation to interpret geographic information from a variety of sources. Formulate valid generalisations from the results of various kinds of geographic inquiry. Six essential elements: 1. The World in Spatial terms Map, globe, and atlas use 2. Places and Regions Physical and human processes shape places and regions
The importance of places and regions to individual and social identity Changes in places and regions over time Critical issues and problems of places and regions Regional analysis of geographic issues and questions 3. Physical Systems Components of Earth s physical system World climate regions World patterns of biodiversity 4. Human Systems Impact of human migration Changes in human settlement patterns over time 5. Environment and Society World patterns of resource distribution and utilization Use and sustainability of resources Environmental issues 6. The Uses of Geography Influence of geographical features on the evolution of significant historic events and movements
Canadian Explorers: A Physiographic Expedition Name: Date: You are a great explorer about to embark on a noble journey across unknown territory. As you explore, take notes on this sheet about the features you see. Which explorer will find the most prosperous land? Your discoveries are eagerly awaited. Bon voyage! 1. Physiographic region I am exploring: 2. Terrain: 3. Bodies of water: 4. Types of rocks: 5. Relief (sunken, flat, hills, mountains, etc.): 6. Vegetation:
7. Climate: 8. Wildlife: 9. Natural resources: 10. Other interesting information: Explorers had the help of Aboriginal peoples to guide them and teach them about the land. What were your sources?