THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas
ONTARIO – GRADES 6-8
2
Lesson Overview:
In this lesson, students will describe and explain how shipping traffic “detours” through the
Welland Canal in order to bypass Niagara Falls.
Grade Level:
Grades 6-8 (middle school)
Time Required:
Teachers conduct the lesson in two classes
Curriculum Connection (Province/Territory and course):
Ontario Curriculum (Revised). History and Geography - Grades 7 and 8
Specific Expectation – Knowledge and Understanding
Identify and describe types of land use (recreational, commercial, transportation, public space)
Link to the Canadian Atlas Online (CAOL): www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas/
Additional Resources, Materials and Equipment Required: www.niagaraparks.com/nfgg/geology.php
Niagara Parks Commission. www.greatlakes-seaway.com
St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation
Canadian Geographic (July/August 2009)
InfoCanada Geographical Regions – “The Great lakes Lowland.” ISBN 0176261001 Nelson.
2004
InfoCanada Geographical Regions – “The St. Lawrence Lowland.” ISBN 017626101x.
Nelson. 2004
Main Objective:
To understand the role of ship traffic through the Welland Canal in order to bypass and preserve the Niagara Falls.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
 Explain through maps and diagrams the site of the Welland Canal, Niagara River and
Niagara Falls and their setting in the southern Ontario region
Describe the nature of ships and cargoes on the H
2
O highway 


Explain how locks and canals work, especially in the Welland region of Ontario
Present arguments for maintaining Niagara Falls as a tourist attraction

THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas
ONTARIO – GRADES 6-8
The Lesson:
Development
Introduction
How will the lesson open?
Lesson Development
Detail point by point how the lesson will develop by student and teacher activity.
Teacher Activity
Ask students to relate experiences of visiting
Niagara Falls, seeing or going through a boat lock or seeing a cargo ship on the Great lakes.
Show pictures of Niagara
Falls, Great Lakes ships and a map of the Great
Lakes system.
Ask students to explain how the term Highway
H
2
O applies to the Great lakes-St. Lawrence
Seaway system.
Have students discuss what makes a major highway system and how this can be applied to a waterway.
Assign worksheet to groups of four students.
Student Activity
Relate experiences to the class.
Observe maps and photos.
Answer questions on highways and connections to water courses.
Get into groups. Assign one of the four tasks to each member.
Research the answer and prepare a copy for each member of the group.
Conclusion
How will the lesson conclude? What final product or culminating activity is expected?
Collect and mark the selected work from each group. Make a display of copies in the classroom.
Review all parts of the group work for completeness.
Hand in the best copy of the work for evaluation.
Lesson Extension:
Investigate various activities that are associated with Niagara Falls; such as tourist activities, daredevil feats, specialty businesses.
Investigate the use of the Niagara Falls as a site for hydro-electric power in Ontario.

THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas
ONTARIO – GRADES 6-8
Assessment of Student Learning:
Collect and grade one copy from each group.
On the next unit test, employ questions which cover the topics that students researched in their group project.
Further Reading:
Refer to materials from the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, the Niagara
Falls Parks Commission or articles from Canadian Geographic magazine.
InfoCanada Provinces and Territories. “Ontario”. Nelson. 2004
Link to Canadian National Geography Standards:
Essential Element #4: Human Systems
 Transportation networks in Canada
 Types and patterns of economic activity
Geographic Skill #5: Answering Geographic Questions,
 Develop and present combinations of geographic information to answer geographic questions.

THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas
ONTARIO – GRADES 6-8
H2O Detour worksheet
Instructions:
Prepare a set of notes, maps and diagrams to explain why it is necessary to have ships bypass the Niagara Falls by using the Welland Canal. Show how the geography of the region allows the scenery of the Falls to maintain a tourist industry while the canal allows ship traffic to follow the H2O highway.
Assign a Master’s task to each member of the group. Research and explain the points included plus any other points of interest you find.
Prepare 5 sets of your part in order that all members of the group have a set of notes. Hand in one copy for evaluation.
Lock Master: Map Master:
This person should have an interest in solving construction and transportation problems.
Prepare a set of diagrams to show how locks work.
Describe the historical development of the Welland canal including upgrades to handle modern shipping needs.
Include in your section how climate affects operations of the locks on a seasonal basis.
Describe how ships are monitored while in this system.
This person should have a good ability with maps.
Prepare a set of maps to show the section of the Ontario region where the
Niagara River joins Lake Erie to Lake
Ontario. Locate Niagara Falls and the
Welland Canal on the map.
Put on the important cities and towns.
Label all items. Create a scale, title and legend.
Use the Canadian Atlas Online, an
Ontario road map, a paper atlas or other source for your maps.
Ship Master:
This person should have an interest in ships, boats, navigation and other maritime features.
Describe the kinds of boats, ships and yachts that use the Welland Canal.
Explain the types of cargo that ships carry through the canal.
Include in this section where the cargo is coming from and where their destination is.
Describe how ships are tracked along the
H2O highway.
Falls Master:
This person should have an interest in tourism.
Research how Niagara Falls was created.
Explain why they are an international resource. Describe how the tourist industry grew around this natural feature.
Use diagrams, photos or sketches to illustrate your work.