THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES– GRADE 7
Unlocking the St. Lawrence Seaway: A Lesson on Integers
Lesson Overview:
Students are introduced to the concept of integers using the different canal sections of the
St. Lawrence Seaway. As each vessel goes through a section of the canal, the water level
either rises or decreases. Students will be encouraged to use numbers to describe this
process. In addition, students will be challenged to demonstrate an understanding of and
apply arithmetic operations on integers.
Grade Level:
Grade 7
Time Required:
One class
Curriculum Connection for Western Canadian Protocol Math 7:
Strand Number (Number Concepts) 12. 1
Strand Number (Number Operations) 16.1 – 16.5
Link to the Canadian Atlas Online (CAOL):
www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas/
Additional Resources, Materials, and Equipment Required:
The St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
http://greatlakes-seaway.com
St. Lawrence River and Seaway
http://www.great-lakes.net/lakes/stlaw.html
HWY H20
http://www.hwyh20.com
Mathlinks (McGraw Hill Website)
http://www.mathlinks.ca
Infusing Communication Technology
http://www.blackgold.ca/ict
Main Objective:
Students will demonstrate an understanding of integers (compare and order) and show
proficiency with calculations involving arithmetic operations.
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES– GRADE 7
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
•
•
•
Think logically and develop their reasoning skills as they solve mathematical
problems as it relates to experiences in and out of the classroom (Reasoning).
Use visualization in the study of mathematics. Students will be encouraged to think
in pictures/images and be able to transform that information as a numerical
operation (Visualization).
Develop their problem-solving strategies. Students will draw from their prior
experiences and utilize this knowledge in new ways and contexts (Problem
Solving).
The Lesson:
Development
Teacher Activity
Student Activity
Introduction
Initiate class discussion by
looking at the different canal
sections of the St. Lawrence
Seaway.
Students participate in
teacher-led classroom
discussion by recognizing
the different water levels
of the canals.
Provide students with data
of the different water levels
of each canal section and
have them organize this (in
ascending/descending order)
in a graph.
Students examine
materials with a partner.
Students may be asked to
illustrate and explain their
work with the rest of the
class.
Teacher invites pairs of
students to take the data
they organized and write a
mathematical equation that
demonstrates their
understanding of number
operations.
Students realize how
mathematical concepts
apply to everyday
situations and learn to
apply their knowledge of
arithmetic operations in
solving everyday
problems.
How will the lesson open?
Lesson Development
Detail point by point how
the lesson will develop by
student and teacher
activities.
Conclusion
How will the lesson
conclude? What final
product or culminating
activity is expected?
Lesson Extension:
Teacher can present students with more data (water levels of the different lakes in addition
to each section of the canal) and have students present this information in a graph or as an
illustration as a side profile of the different levels of the canal.
Assessment of Student Learning:
The teacher will have students write a number operation representing part or all of the data
collected and check for accuracy.
THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE
www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES– GRADE 7
Links to Canadian National Geography Standards:
The Six Essential Elements of Geography
1. The World in Spatial Terms: Students will view different map projections and analyze
data (distance, levels, direction) accordingly.
2. Places and Regions: The St. Lawrence Seaway has brought many changes in the
regions that it flows through.
3. Physical Systems: The St. Lawrence Seaway, as a major river system of Canada, has
provided its inhabitants with an efficient transportation route.
4. Human Systems: The development of the St. Lawrence Seaway has contributed to the
development of many factors: population density, enhanced transportation, human
migration and growth in cities.
5. Environment and Society: The St. Lawrence Seaway is one of the most fuel efficient
ways to transport goods.
6. The Uses of Geography: The St. Lawrence Seaway has many unique geographical
attributes which have hindered many in their attempt to utilize the river as a transportation
route.
The Five Sets of Geographic Skills
1. Asking geographic questions: Students plan to answer mathematical problems as
defined by geographic limitations.
2. Acquiring geographic information: Students learn to assimilate and organize
geographic as well as numerical data derived from various sources (books, thematic maps,
graphs and online resources).
3. Organizing geographic information: Students organize and present information they
gathered by preparing a graph or writing a number operation.
4. Analyzing geographic information: Students interpret and synthesize information
they have researched (from maps, charts, graphs and books) and present this as number
concepts/operations.
5. Answering geographic questions: Students ask questions and compare how the
different sections of the St. Lawrence Seaway functions as a whole.