This resource examines the biodiversity and the complexity of the various life forms that make up Canadian forests. The emphasis is on helping students appreciate the relationships and interdependence of all species in this ecosystem. Students learn how they can affect forests and understand ways to preserve and maintain their diversity. Themes include biotechnology, natural and introduced pests, species at risk, habitat loss and fragmentation, protected areas, climate change and traditional indigenous knowledge. Lessons can be summarized as follows:

Lesson One- It's What Inside That Counts ( 1x90min)

Students learn the basics of biodiversity by studying the arrangements of fauna and flora in a field investigation of the schoolyard. Teams will visit three assigned "habitat" sites and record living and non-living components. After discussing results, students are asked to create a poem or story about living in one of the habitat sites.

Lesson Two- Too Hot, Too Cold,...Just Right ( 2x45min)

This lesson focuses on how climate change impacts population numbers. After a discussion on how climate changes are driven by human activity, students are guided through a role play simulating the effects of rising temperatures on Arctic, Mid-latitude and Tropical biomes. After a wrap-up with discussion questions, students are asked to write a short story on an assigned topic.

Lesson Three- What Our Elders Say (1x60min, 1x90min)

After looking at how a Canadian Aboriginal legend relates to biodiversity, the students read and perform a play based on the "Legend of The Sky Sisters". Students then write their own legend incorporating an environmental message.

Lesson Four- Barrier To Biodiversity (2x60min)

After reviewing as a class how human activity can lead to habitat loss and fragmentation, students have to write and present stories in the form of a power point presentation, poster, public service announcement or skit describing how individual plants or animals are subject to, and respond to, stress in their habitat.

Lesson Five- Off Limits (4x45min)

Students investigate officially protected areas and create a class newspaper that contains articles which focus on the role of protected areas in helping maintain diversity. In this exercise they explore the social, economic, and environmental impacts of protected areas.

Lesson Six- To Be Or Not To Be (2x60min)

Students work in groups to produce a "species at risk" game board which focuses on the habitat impacts of: change/modification, over-exploitation of resources, poorly regulated commercial harvest, disruption of migration routes/breeding behaviors, contamination, and the introduction of exotic species.

Lesson Seven- Unwelcome Guests (2 x 60min)

Students develop a "Futures Wheel"(a graphic description of the inter-relationships and impacts of a single decision or event) focusing on exotic and invasive species in Canada.

Lesson Eight- Timberland ( 1x90min)

A role playing activity is used to show how biotechnology can be used as a tool to help maintain forest biodiversity. Using a timber-theft crime story students will complete a report (including a CSI sheet and victim profile) to assist them in understanding techniques used in biotechnology.

This resource can easily be adapted to include no technology.

Use these free activities to help kids explore our planet, learn about global challenges, think of solutions, and take action.

Use these free activities to help kids explore our planet, learn about global challenges, think of solutions, and take action.

The CLS provides educational resources for middle and senior years teachers across Canada that relate to curriculum. Resources in the following topics have been developed: Light and Optics; Science and Society; Physical Sciences; Earth Sciences; Health Sciences; Chemistry; Physics; Biology.

The forests of North America have seen plenty of change in a pretty short period of time, at least geologically speaking. Up until about 18,000 years ago, the Laurentide Ice Sheet covered Canada and much of the eastern United States. When temperatures climbed and the ice sheet retreated, forests gradually reemerged. But how? Did pockets of trees find refuge in sheltered areas during the Ice Age? Or were all tree species pushed to the southern tier of the United States, only to spread north again after the ice disappeared? Scientists still debate the topic, but one thing is clear: today‰Ûªs forests in the eastern United States bear little resemblance to post-glacial forests. Starting with European colonial settlers and marching through four centuries of development, drought, and fire, the tree cover of North America became fragmented.

The word “biotechnology” usually conjures images of modern techniques and topics of controversy such as cloning, stem cell research, and genetically modified organisms. However, the practice of manipulating organisms to create a product has long been used by human societies. Our Biotechnology Series is designed for high school and community college educators in the fields of Biology, Environmental Science, Social Studies, and Agriculture. A special effort has been made to construct activities that support instruction in AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, and AP Human Geography. This module was created as a supplement to the Focus on Risk curriculum. Educators can download the complete Exploring Environmental Issues: Biotechnology module at no cost.

Trees within a city can help reduce urban heat, control stormwater, and provide habitat to local wildlife. As climate conditions change, a Chicago group is working to enhance its urban forest so that the city can continue to receive these benefits.

Information on plants, flowers and trees. How plants flower and parts of a flower. What is a plant, parts of a plant and how plants make food. Trees, evergreens, deciduous trees, how trees grow, fruits nuts and berries and plants as food. How a plant is pollinated, how seeds are spread, meat-eating plants and plant defense. A tree through the seasons and leaves.

Free Science, Socials Studies and Health lessons developed by teachers to inspire digital-age students in support of UNICEF Canada!

All our content is free for teachers!

KBI provides a unique and tailored interactive classroom experience that is carefully curated to follow the school curriculum. In particular, our focus is on meeting the learning standards of the grade 5-12 curriculum in science and social studies that relate to:
The immune system, Disease transmission, Immunization, Pandemics, epidemics, and outbreaks; Global inequality issues in health; The role of NGOs; Antibiotic resistance; Evaluating sources …And many other topics!

Click on "How it Works" on the top menu to see the learning modules (and lessons/units available). Critical thinking, diseases, health equity, level of government, global community, immune system, diversity of living things and more.

Select the "Teacher Centre" to find a wealth of lesson plans for all subject areas. E.g., Women's day, colonization, misinformation, critical thinking, evolution etc.

We provide dozens of classroom activities and teacher resources, each of which are paired with an online quiz that students can take on their laptop, tablet, or phone. This two-pronged lesson approach enables teachers to tailor a classroom experience that is supplemented by a fun and interactive experience for the student. Our online quizzes have been developed by health and education professionals, as well as communication experts who have studied the online behaviour of students – as such, they are accurate, informative, but also engaging for the student.

This expository nonfiction text is about how an oak tree may become vulnerable to disease from its bark being damaged by a bear clawing it.

This nonfiction text discusses how a fourth grade class at Union Avenue School worked hard to protect the New Jersey shoreline by planting recycled Christmas trees in the sand. The trees prevent high tides from flooding sand dunes, which serve as animal habitats and also protect peoples homes.

Readworks has tremendous resources to keep your children reading over the summer with their Summer Reading Program.

Find resources for Grade 1 through to high school, including both fiction and non-fiction articles for enjoyable summer reading. All articles are accompanied by an answer packet to extend the learning.

Just sign up for an account to access the resources for summer reading. Check out the sign up details and see what’s available at https://about.readworks.org/share-families.html.

The Trans-Canadian Research and Environmental Education (TREE) project is a citizen science program where students from across Canada join with researchers from the Mistik Askîwin Dendrochronology Lab (MAD Lab) to learn about the stories trembling aspen trees tell and how a synchrotron can be a tool to tell that story. Join us as we explore this new area in research and learn about environments across Canada!

From a scientific perspective with TREE, trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) are a species of tree that is abundant throughout most of Canada. They also tolerate, even thrive, with much higher levels of toxins in their soil than most other species of trees and can potentially be used to remediate contaminated sites.

From an educational perspective, learning about the life and nutrient cycles of trees, nutrients in soil, and tracking effects on trees over time provides a wealth of opportunity for student education. The TREE program connects with curriculum across several subject areas and grade levels. It provides an interdisciplinary learning experience for students, including local Indigenous knowledge related to the trees, history, and the environment.

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax presents an opportunity to have a conversation about the inherent value of forests and importance of sustainable management. Students read (or watch!) Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax and examine the importance of the sustainable management of natural resources. Watch the movie or read the book with your students, and discuss the inherent value of forests and importance of sustainable management by using the package six (6) activities designed to help students understand the importance of working forests and other topics related to the movie.