The Canadian Arctic - An Integrated Unit Across Grade Levels
Canada's most northern area is an important and fascinating land. Change is occurring at a very rapid pace in climate, resource development and the lives of the people and animals who live there. The Inuit people are uniquely adapted to live in a extremely harsh climate. Over the next few weeks we will explore their land and culture, learning about their habitat, families, history and how they survive in such an extreme environment. We will look at the effect that global warming has had. Each grade will investigate different areas and present their findings to the class.
Grade 4 will research habitat, family life and early Arctic explorers.
Grade 5 will look at Inuit government and renewable and nonrenewable natural resources.
Grade 6 will explore how Inuit art relates to its culture, the diversity of life in the Arctic and survival in an extreme environment.
Grade 4 will research habitat, family life and early Arctic explorers.
Grade 5 will look at Inuit government and renewable and nonrenewable natural resources.
Grade 6 will explore how Inuit art relates to its culture, the diversity of life in the Arctic and survival in an extreme environment.
Module 1 - Introduction
1. What do you already know the Arctic? Take the online survey, download the Anticipation Guide or complete it in your Canadian Arctic Journal. It doesn't matter if you know the answer now - we'll go back at the end of the Arctic unit and fill it out again. There are no right or wrong answers.
2. Watch the National Geographic video on the Arctic Ocean and fill in the blanks on the question sheet in your journal as you follow along. Stop the video whenever you need to.
3. Create a cover page for your Arctic journal. Include a title, at least 4 different Arctic pictures and your name, division or class and the date. Use a wide, coloured border around the page. Your Arctic pictures can be hand drawn, taken from a magazine or printed from a computer and coloured.
2. Watch the National Geographic video on the Arctic Ocean and fill in the blanks on the question sheet in your journal as you follow along. Stop the video whenever you need to.
3. Create a cover page for your Arctic journal. Include a title, at least 4 different Arctic pictures and your name, division or class and the date. Use a wide, coloured border around the page. Your Arctic pictures can be hand drawn, taken from a magazine or printed from a computer and coloured.
Module 2 - Mapping the Arctic (Social Studies)
Learning Outcomes - students will be able to
A. locate the Arctic on a map of Canada.
B. name the three Arctic ecozones.
C. describe several characteristics of each ecozone.
D. use a website or atlas to find information.
E. use a chart to record information.
F. explain why there are two North Poles.
1. Read the information on the Arctic Ecozones found online at the Canadian Biodiversity website or the Canadian Atlas Online. Use this information to colour and complete the map and chart in your journal.
2. Watch the two videos below. Complete the BrainPop quiz on the North Pole, print and hand in.
3. Read about the North Pole in your Journal and draw a picture of yourself there. Include how you would get there - dog sled, nuclear submarine, ice breaker or float plane.
A. locate the Arctic on a map of Canada.
B. name the three Arctic ecozones.
C. describe several characteristics of each ecozone.
D. use a website or atlas to find information.
E. use a chart to record information.
F. explain why there are two North Poles.
1. Read the information on the Arctic Ecozones found online at the Canadian Biodiversity website or the Canadian Atlas Online. Use this information to colour and complete the map and chart in your journal.
2. Watch the two videos below. Complete the BrainPop quiz on the North Pole, print and hand in.
3. Read about the North Pole in your Journal and draw a picture of yourself there. Include how you would get there - dog sled, nuclear submarine, ice breaker or float plane.
Make your own…Create and print your own Arctic door knob sign or bookmark using special images from CG Kids!
|
CG Kids Map PuzzleHave fun piecing together the CG Kids Map of Canada Puzzle!
|
Module 3 - Life in the Arctic: Past and Present (Social Studies)
Goals
A. Grade 4 students will identify how family life has changed for Inuit people.
B. Grade 5 students will investigate Inuit beliefs and government and changes which have occurred recently.
C. Grade 6 students will explore methods (such as clothing) the Inuit have used to survive in such an extreme environment.
D. All students will share their knowledge with the class by delivering a formal presentation either as a report, poster or powerpoint.
A. Grade 4 students will identify how family life has changed for Inuit people.
B. Grade 5 students will investigate Inuit beliefs and government and changes which have occurred recently.
C. Grade 6 students will explore methods (such as clothing) the Inuit have used to survive in such an extreme environment.
D. All students will share their knowledge with the class by delivering a formal presentation either as a report, poster or powerpoint.
Watch the slide show from Venture Arctic to gain an understanding of the Inuit people, including: location, population, lifestyle and history. Print out the Inuit Quiz on page 9 of the Teachers Lesson plan.
Complete while you are watching. Put the Quiz in your Arctic journal. Inuit Slideshow Quiz. |
This video clip from Discovery Education looks at Inuit ways of living - today and in the past. You will complete a worksheet that compares their life now with how it was in the past, particularly homes, transportation, food, technology, family relationships and clothing.
Past and Present worksheet |
Module 4 - Fatty Legs : A True Story (Language Arts)
Goals
A. All students will use strategies before, during and after reading to develop understanding of stories about unfamiliar contexts.
B. All students will create writing journals that demonstrate connections to personal experiences, ideas and opinions.
Together we will be reading the book "Fatty Legs", a true story written by by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton. This short novel, published in 2010 by Annick Press has won many awards. It tells the story of eight year old Margaret Pokiak who desperately wants to learn to read. To do this she convinces her father to allow her to leave her home in the high Arctic to live in a residential school. Margaret is treated badly but never gives up her belief in herself. Students will share their thoughts and questions through a book forum.
A. All students will use strategies before, during and after reading to develop understanding of stories about unfamiliar contexts.
B. All students will create writing journals that demonstrate connections to personal experiences, ideas and opinions.
Together we will be reading the book "Fatty Legs", a true story written by by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton. This short novel, published in 2010 by Annick Press has won many awards. It tells the story of eight year old Margaret Pokiak who desperately wants to learn to read. To do this she convinces her father to allow her to leave her home in the high Arctic to live in a residential school. Margaret is treated badly but never gives up her belief in herself. Students will share their thoughts and questions through a book forum.
Module 5 - Arctic Habitat, Resources and Environment (Science)
Explore each grade by visiting their page.
Grade 4 students will study Arctic habitat, food chains and climate change.
Grade 5 students will learn about renewable and non-renewable natural resources in the Arctic and BC and learn about climate change.
Grade 6 students will explore the diversity of life and extreme Arctic environments.
Grade 4 students will study Arctic habitat, food chains and climate change.
Grade 5 students will learn about renewable and non-renewable natural resources in the Arctic and BC and learn about climate change.
Grade 6 students will explore the diversity of life and extreme Arctic environments.
Additional websites to visit
Energy and the environment
Power Up! Your city needs energy! It's yur job to build the right combination of power plants and bring it up to full power. Keep going until your city reaches Full Power. But watch out: If you run out of money or your plants have too great an impact on the environment, you'll have to start over again.
Visit the EcoKids Canada site to learn how you can help make our environment healthier. |