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ONTARIO – GRADE 9
The Carolina Enquirer
A Round Table Lesson on the effects of Global
Warming on the Carolinian Ecosystem in southern
Ontario.
Lesson Overview
In this lesson, students will use a Round Table approach to evaluate the possible effects of
climate change on an ecosystem and the resulting effects on the flora, fauna and population
living in that region.
Grade Level
Grade 9 (secondary school)
Time Required
Two classes
Curriculum Connection (Province/Territory and course)
The lesson is designed for the Ontario Curriculum, Grade Nine and Ten: Canada and World
Studies – Geography of Canada Academic Level.
Additional Resources, Materials and Equipment Required

Canadian Geographic/NRTEE A Changing Climate poster-map

Student access to computers and the internet
Websites:
NRTEE www.nrtee-trnee.com
Canadian Atlas Online www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas/
Carolinian Canada www.carolinian.org/
Nature Conservancy of Canada - search for “Carolinian” www.natureconservancy.ca/
Hinterland Who’s Who - A primer on habitat Hot Spots
www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=202
Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society - “CMOS” www.cmos.ca
Main Objective
The primary goal of the lesson is to make students aware of the Carolinian Ecosystem and
the effects of climate change on the people, plants and animals inhabiting this ecosystem.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

Define and explain the Carolinian ecosystem in southern Ontario;

Explain the terms weather and climate and how they are used in the context of
climate change;
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ONTARIO – GRADE 9

Role-play the part of a person responsible for a specific sector that may be
influenced by climate change in this ecosystem;

Contribute to a Round Table on the environment and economy and cast a vote on
the most important impacts that climate change may bring to this region;

Evaluate solutions proposed by various groups (e.g., by government, industry,
environmentalists, community members) and make recommendations for sustainable
resource use.
The Lesson
The Lesson
Teacher Activity
Introduction
Review terms for various types of
public meetings, such as town hall
meetings, forums, inquiries,
planning sessions/meetings and
round tables.
Review the concepts of ecosystems,
weather, climate change and global
warming.
Review the role of geography as a
discipline that examines the patterns
of the earth and discuss how local
decisions influence geographic
patterns.
Student Activity
Contribute to the
discussion by sharing
experiences of these types
of public meetings.
Give examples of each
topic from previous
lessons and/or
experiences.
Give examples of local
decisions on land use that
effect change in the
landscape.
Explain the Carolinian Ecosystem to
the class and the possible expansion
of the region if climate change
brings regional warming to Southern
Ontario.
Review the Canadian
Geographic/NRTEE A Changing
Climate poster-map with students in
order to understand the broad range
of expected impacts from climate
change in Canada
Lesson
Development
Present and discuss the
“stakeholders’” roles for studying
the impact of climate change in the
Select a role as a
stakeholder on the issue of
climate change as it may
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Carolinian ecosystem. There are 23
roles to assign. You may add more
roles, or partner two students to one
topic to accommodate your class
size.
Three key roles are the students
who will form a team of
Geographers. They must describe
the region, chair the round table and
conduct a vote to determine the
most influential and persuasive
stakeholders.
ONTARIO – GRADE 9
apply to the Carolinian
Ecosystem of Southern
Ontario.
Research your
stakeholder’s main
interests and make a
summary of three to five
main points.
Deliver these key points
when your turn comes
during the Round Table
discussions.
Hold a round table whereby each
stakeholder presents their 3-5 main
points for all stakeholders to hear.
Have the team of Geographers
conduct a vote on the most
influential presentations as they
relate to the benefits or risks of
climate change in the region.
Conclusion
Review the voting patterns as
assembled by the team of
Geographers.
Discuss with the class the
importance of public input on
matters of the environment and the
economy.
Vote on the most
influential presenters as
they argue their case in
the discussion.
Write a one paragraph
summary of the results
and compare it with your
own point of view on this
topic.
Lesson Extension

Write a summary paper on the results of the Carolinian Enquiry for the National
Round Table on the Environment and the Economy and submit it to the organization.

Write a letter to your MP or MLA to point out the possible implications of climate
change in the Carolinian region.
Assessment of Student Learning

Assess the oral presentation of each stakeholder.

Collect and grade the individual summary paragraphs.

Place a question on the topic and the outcome of the Round Table on the next class
test.
Further Reading

Library/Resource Centre research on weather, climate, plants, animals, trees,
ecosystems, etc.
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
ONTARIO – GRADE 9
Climate Prosperity thematic module in the Canadian Atlas Online:
http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas/themes.aspx?id=climateprosperity&lang=En

National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) web site:
http://www.nrtee-trnee.com/
Link to Canadian National Standards for Geography
Essential Element #5: Environment and Society

Environmental Issues – Global Warming and Bio-diversity.
Geographic Skill #5: Answering Geographic Questions

Apply geographic models, generalizations and theories to the analysis, interpretation
and presentation of geographic information.
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Stakeholder Roles for the Carolinian Round Table
Instructions: When you have chosen your role, research 3 to 5 key points that support
your topic to present to the Round Table.
Geographer One: Prepare the notes on the Carolinian Ecosystem and help chair the
meeting.
Geographer Two: Make a map of the region to display during the Round Table. Keep
track of the vote and announce the results.
Geographer three: Chair the meeting, allow each speaker their turn and conduct the
vote.
Weather person – general: Describe the general factors that make up daily weather
patterns.
Weather person – Carolinian: Describe the weather factors and patterns in the
Carolinian ecosystem.
Climatologist – general: Describe the general factors that make up the climate of a
region.
Climatologist – Carolinian: Describe the climate of the Carolinian region.
Forestry sector representative: Describe the forestry industry in the Carolinian region.
Aboriginal representative: Describe your relationship to the land in the Carolinian
region.
Organization of Tree Fruit Farmers Representative: Discuss the expansion of fruit
growing trees in this mild climate zone.
Organization of Vintners Representative: Discuss the expansion of grape growing
opportunities in this region.
Organization of Beef Cattle Farmers Representative: Discuss the loss of pasture and
grazing land to higher value crops.
Naturalist: Examine the relationship between plants and animals that are found only in
this ecosystem.
Arborist: Discuss the potential of the trees that are found only in this ecosystem.
Zoologist: Discuss the animals found only in this ecosystem.
Conservation Authority Representative: Discuss the need to preserve the unique
nature of this small ecosystem in southern Ontario.
Housing Developer: Discuss the need for housing to accommodate people moving to this
attractive zone.
Hotel Developer: Discuss the need for new accommodation for tourists and businesses
attracted to this zone.
Town Planner Association Representative: Discuss the need for proper planning to
meet new growth.
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Transportation Planners Representative: Discuss the need for road, bus and rail
services to address the growth in this area.
Council of Mayors Representative: Discuss the needs of growing urban areas.
Ontario Government Representative: Discuss the need to balance regional interests in
all regions in the province.
Hotel Association Representative: Discuss the need to draw people to the area to
support the hotels serving the region.
Restaurant Association Representative: Discuss the need to attract customers to the
local eateries in the region.
Bird Watchers of Ontario Representative: Discuss the need to preserve the unique
opportunities to bird-watch in this ecosystem.