THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas 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; THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas 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 THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas 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. THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas 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. THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas ONTARIO – GRADE 9 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. THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas ONTARIO – GRADE 9 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.