Introductory
Activities
Socials 10
Jodie Reeder (jreeder@summer.com)
770-7718 ext.
Unit of Study: Why I Live Here
For this unit of study you will:
describe the physiographic regions of Canada and the geological processes that formed these regions.
Preview of Unit
While we are enjoying the daffodils of Spring here in BC, we sometimes wonder why anyone would want
to live in Edmonton where the temperature is still below zero and snow tires are still necessary!
Why do people live in the region of Canada they are living in?
What geographical features are appealing?
How do people make a living in their particular area?
In this unit you will complete the following steps:
1. Learn about Canada's Regions by taking notes to
complete a worksheet.
2. Choose a Region
3. Create a childrens' book or poster (or your own
creative idea) to teach about one of the regions.
Presentation
Canada is a land of SIX distinct physiographic regions:
the Arctic Region
the Canadian Shield
the St. Lawrence Lowlands
the Appalachian Region
The Plains, and
the Western Cordillera.
The Big Question:
How were these distinct and quite different regions formed in the same land mass, and what impact
has human habitation had on these regions?
This is the issue you will explore in this unit.
About Physical Geography
The physical geography, or physiography, of Canada is important because it shapes the human and
economic activities that take place in a region.
Physical geography includes such factors as
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geological origins,
the surface relief features (landscape),
climate,
vegetation, and
soil.
These factors affect how the land can be used.
Primary industries that extract resources from the Earth, such as mining, farming, forestry, and
fishing, are located in certain physiographic regions.
Secondary industries are industries that transform or manufacture natural resources, such as
wood, into a usable product.
Tertiary industries are services, such as advertising services, that bring the product to the
customer
All of these industries rely to some extent on the physical geography and natural resources present in a
region.
Physical geography also governs settlement and transportation patterns.
Learn about Canada's Regions
1. Download this chart (or print) to make notes while reading the information provided by clicking on
each region on this map.
Features of the Regions
In a moment you will be redirected to a site about the regions of Canada.
Important:
In order to find out more about each region, click on Landforms in the MENU bar at the top of the site
and then click on each of the regions and explore the regions.
Click hereto find out more about each of the regions of Canada to help complete your worksheet
Resources of the Regions
In a moment you will click on a link to visit a new website.
To learn about about Industry in the Arctic & Taiga region, click on Industry in the MENU at the top of
the page. When you have learned all about the Arctic & Taiga region, in the MENU bar on the left, click
on Pacific and Mountains and then the other regions - Central Plains, Boreal Shield, Mixedwood Plains
and Atlantic Region - and explore the Industry in those regions.
Click hereto start your journey in learning about the natural resources in each of the regions in Canada.
And to complete the worksheet.
Publish: Create your Book
or Poster-Criteria
Book Choice:
Your book should include the following in the PRESENTATION
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AT LEAST 12 pages,
pictures/images,
a maps
a climatograph,
text,
video/animation [OPTIONAL], and
a main character who narrates the book [FIRST person Point of View].
NOTE: This does not have to be an audio narration; it means that your main character tells the story
using "I....."
Poster Choice
Your poster should include the following in the PRESENTATION:
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Easy to read titles and headings
Attractive arrangement of graphics considering spacing, colour, size and fonts.
Easy to follow presentation of the content.
Content:
Your book or poster should should address the following topics in the CONTENT:
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the geological processes that formed this area in the region identify these, AND
explain these;
the unique nature of the region (in contrast with other regions);
the natural resources that are found in this area of the region;
how habitants of the area utilise those natural resources for income and to live;
the impact that utilisation of those resources has had on the environment in the area;
strategies that could be implemented to reduce the environmental impact;
natural hazards that people living in this area face (flooding, avalanches, forest fires and so on);
and
Remember! All pictures and research used from the internet must be cited properly or your work will be
returned unmarked.
Applications to Use
There are a number of applications you can use to create your book:
PubbSoft
You need to create an account to use PubbSoft BUT it is free!
Once you have created your book you can provide your teacher with the URL to view your book.
Blurb BookSmart
You need to download the software and, after you have created your book, you publish it using Blurb
Bookshow.
bookemon
You need to create an account - it's FREE - and, once you have created your book, you share it.
Storyjumper - Another great option for creating your book!
If you create your book online, email the URL to your teacher for assessment.
You may use GLOGSTER or some other online tool for your poster as well.
Once you have completed the worksheet and project, contact your teacher to continue in the course.
Rubric-Your project will be marked on the following:
4
3
2
1
0
Geologic
Processes
ALL processes
contributing to
the
development of
the region
identified and
explained
MOST processes
contributing to
the
development of
the region
identified and
explained
SOME processes
are identified
and explained
SOME processes
are identified
but NOT
explained
not
demonstrated
Region
Described
ALL unique
features and
natural hazards
of the region are
identified and
described AND
natural
MOST unique
features and
natural hazards
of the region are
identified and
described
SOME unique
features and
natural hazards
of the region are
identified and
described
SOME features
and hazards are
identified but
NOT described
not
demonstrated
Use of Region
The utilisation of
ALL natural
resources in the
region is
identified and
described
The utilisation of
MOST resources
in the region is
identified and
described
The utilisation of
SOME of the
resources in the
region is
identified and
described
The resources in
the region are
identified but
their utilisation
is not described
not
demonstrated
Impact on
Region
The impact of
human
utilisation of the
resources on the
environment is
clearly & fully
identified and
described
The impact of
human
utilisation of the
resources on the
environment is
identified &
described
The impact of
human
utilisation of the
resourced on the
environment is
identified but
NOT described
The impact of
human
utilisation of the
resources on the
environment is
minimally
identified
not
demonstrated
Environmental
Strategies
Strategies that
address ALL
environmental
issues and could
be implemented,
Strategies that
address MOST of
the
environmental
issues and could
be implemented,
Strategies that
address
environmental
issues are
outlined but not
all are able to be
Few strategies
are outlined
not
demonstrated
Choice of Region
are outlined
are outlined
implemented
Rational reasons
for living in the
region are
identified and
explained
Rational reasons
for living in the
region are
identified
Few rational
reasons for living
in the region are
identified
Reasons for
living in the
region are
emotional rather
than rational
not
demonstrated