Environmental Issues Facing Canada Webquest

Main Page

Introduction

Task

Process

Evaluation

Conclusion

Teacher Page

Introduction

Canada's embarrasing performance at Bali Conference on climate change took place a few months ago, but I can still feel the bad taste that it left in my mouth. I would wash it down with a glass of water, but I'm too lazy to boil some (I can't drink from my tap). At the Bali conference, delegates from a few countries (including Canada) tried to block the progress of the many delegates who came to the conference ready to make their countries set limits to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I was shocked and frustrated when I heard that Baird's position for Canada was that we would not accept a climate deal unless it included the U.S., China, and India.

Canada has the unfortunate distinction of being one of the world's top 10 polluters and yet we decided to set up roadblocks at the Bali Conference instead of stepping up to the plate and becoming part of the solution. I created this webquest so that I could help to instill the concept of environmentalism in my students.

In this webquest, the students research one main area in which Canada is facing environmental concerns. The areas from which the students have to choose are as follows: Air, Climate Change, Environmental Action, Nature and Wildlife, Pollution, Science and Technology, and Water. For example, a student could choose to research current issues relating to pollution. This student would examine a variety of articles relating to pollution issues and then make notes in chart form. After completing the chart, the studet would turn the chart information into a television commercial that gives people background information and constructive suggestions on how they can help to solve the problem.

Learners

The lesson is anchored in Civic Studies 11 and Geography 12. It also has some applications for Social Studies 11.

In order to complete the television commercial portion of this lesson, the students have to be able to work with computer software such as powerpoint. If they are comfortable with other mulitimedia software such as Adobe Premier of Moviemaker, then they can use it.

Curriculum Standards

Geography 12

Resources and Environmental Sustainability

assess the various considerations involved in resource management, including - sustainability - availability - social/cultural consequences - economic consequences - political consequences
assess the environmental impact of human activities included in the following areas: energy production and use, forestry, fishing, mining, agriculture, waste disposal and water use

Civic Studies 11

In the CIVIC ACTION section of the course, it is expected that students will do the following things:

1. evaluate the citizen's role in civic processes locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally

2. evaluate the ethics of selected civic decisions

3. implement a plan for action on a selected local, provincial, national, or international civic issue

4. design and implement a plan for civic action on a selected issue

Suggested Achievement Indicators

analyse Canadian civic identity with reference to events from the 20th and 21st centuries related to the following defining factors:
- environment and geography (e.g., Kyoto Protocol, softwood lumber disputes, fisheries disputes) analyse the domestic and international effects of Canada's record with respect to issues and events in one or more of the following categories:
  - environment
  - trade
  - foreign aid
  - peace and security
  - human rights

Social Studies 11

Students will develop understanding of key environmental issues and challenges of global development.
Human Geography - students will assess environmental challenges facing Canadians, including the following topics: global warming, ozone layer depletion, and fresh water quality and supply

SKILLS AND PROCESSES OF SOCIAL STUDIES

It is expected that students will be able to do the following things:

1. apply critical thinking-including questioning such as comparing, summarizing, drawing conclusions, and defending a position-to make reasoned judgments about a range of issues, situations, and topics

2. demonstrate effective research skills, including accessing information, assessing information, collecting data, evaluating data, organizing information, and presenting information

3. demonstrate effective written, oral, and graphic communication skills

4. demonstrate skills and attitudes of active citizenship, including ethical behaviour, open-mindedness, respect for diversity, and collaboration

Process

1. To begin, you need to get a sense of some of the environmental issues facing Canada. It's time to read up on the issues.

2. After you browse the Envirozine website, you need to narrow your focus to one topic. Next, you need to read up on the issues relating to the topic that you have chosen. As you are reading, you need to make notes in chart form. On the chart, you must include information on the following areas for your topic: main problems, possible solutions, background on causes and history of the issue, groups involved in this issue.

3. Now that your chart is complete, it is time to organize your ideas. Make a storyboard for your commercial. The storyboard should include all of the ideas that you want to include in the commercial. Create your storyboard by writing the story in point form or drawing out what happens in each scene of your movie. If you choose to draw, you can do this on paper, or you can use an on-line tool called Storyboard. Create Television Commercial

4. It is time to create an amazing television commercial. Decide on what type of show you want to create (powerpoint, video in which you act, a collection of video clips and photos from internet etc.)

All shows must follow these rules:

(a) the show must be created with some type of mutimedia software (powerpoint, adobe premier, moviemaker etc.)

(b) the show must be set to music that emphasizes the message of the show

(d) the show must contain some useful suggestions for Canadians about how they can make environmentally sound changes in their lives in order to help solve the issue

5. When you finish the show, upload it to youtube.com and then send the link to the following address: shawna@mapleleafpro.net. When you do this, a link will be created from your youtude video to this site.

6. Watch the other music videos that are posted on the site and then cast your vote.

Resources

You will need access to a computer lab so that students can complete internet research on the federal political parties. The computer will also need to be loaded with a multimedia software such as powerpoint.

After the students finish their powerpoints, you need to put them onto youtube. To do this, you will need a program that changes the powerpoint show into an AVI show so that it can be seen on youtube. If you don't have a program to change the powerpoint file to AVI, you can download one for a 30 day free trial. If you don't have a youtube account, you will need to set one up.

Evaluation

In this webquest, the students will be graded on the following areas: chart containing notes and commercial. Click here to view rubrics.

Conclusion

This webquest helps students to develop a sense of understanding about the environmental issues facing Canada. By researching ways in which average citizens can make changes in order in live in more environmentally friendly ways, the students learn about positive changes that they can make in their own lives. By creating a commericial that motivates Canadians to changes and sets out specific stratgies to enable them to do so, the students are being active citizens.

Credits

Websites

EnviroZine: Environment Canada

Storyboard

YouTube

Photos

baby seal

factory smoke stacks

"It's Our World" Sign

storm drain pollution