Evolution, Diversity and the Sustainability of Life

Wetland Ecosystems III

Description

General Assessment

Question	Response
To enhance this resource the following changes are strongly recommended:	Apply the same case-study approach used in lesson one to the other lessons in the resource. E.g. in lesson two, incorporate chemical and biological indicator data into a pollution case study with competing economic, social, as well as environmental interests at stake. Lesson one has solid sustainability education characteristics. Lesson six could easily be improved to have sustainability education characteristics and should be clearly structured to achieve this result. This would then validate lessons two through five by having students use what they have learned to complete their assessment in the field and to provide context for ongoing action.
To enhance this resource the following changes would be beneficial:	Do lesson one about snow goose (or a local species) after students have participated in some initial learning about wetlands Question 3 in lesson two (diagram about causes of development and impacts) needs to be better developed in order for students to gain anything from the exercise. Add more structure, guidance and activities to lesson six so that students are sure to apply the knowledge and practice the skills they have gained in lessons two through five in the field (using keys vs. field guides to identify invertebrates; using the identified invertebrates as biological indicators; correlating chemical and biological indicators, etc.). This field trip might better be designed as a case study to determine the relative health of the wetland. This would allow students to then assess human impacts and take community action to mediate, protect or continue to monitor the site. Before the class, check that any and all web links that you wand your students to use are working.
What skills does this resource explicitly teach?	Using chemical and biological indicators to determine ecosystem health Using a dichotomous key

Sustainability Education Principles

Principle	Rating	Explanation
Consideration of Alternative Perspectives	Good	The snow goose case study does a good job addressing this criteria.
Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions	Satisfactory	This resource explores social and some political aspects of environment. Opportunities exist for the teacher to bring moral, ethical and economic issues forward.
Respects Complexity	Good
Acting on Learning	Poor/Not considered
Values Education	Satisfactory	Except for the referendum aspect to lesson 1, there is not much further exploration of values.
Empathy & Respect for Humans	Satisfactory	Attention is paid to First Nations communities in Lesson 1. The focus is on the physical and biotic environment, not on diverse genders, ethnic groups, social groups, or other groups of humans.
Personal Affinity with Earth	Good	The field trip will be great. Other opportunities could be built in; teacher should be encouraged to do activities outside. Lesson 1 - especially the video - illustrates the interconnectedness of humans and non humans
Locally-Focused Learning	Satisfactory	The snow goose lesson is very good. It would be better if Ducks Unlimited gave several lessons to choose from and teachers/students chose the species most relevant to their local area. Lesson 3: local species should be used (shark, dolphin, salmon...) Local field trip is good.
Past, Present & Future	Good	Lesson 1 connects past, present and future.

Pedagogical Approaches

Principle	Rating	Explanation
Open-Ended Instruction	Satisfactory
Integrated Learning	Satisfactory
Inquiry Learning	Satisfactory	Opportunities exist throughout but are not explicitly explored.
Differentiated Instruction	Good	The resource includes a field trip, a creative "create-an-alien" exercise, a film screening, as well as reading and graphing activities.
Experiential Learning	Satisfactory	Only the field trip in lesson 7 achieves this. The other lessons do not inlcude experiential learning activities.
Cooperative Learning	Satisfactory
Assessment & Evaluation	Satisfactory	Through the lesson summaries, presentations and discussions, students can demonstrate their learning. No formal assessment tools are provided.
Peer Teaching	Satisfactory
Case Studies	Satisfactory	Lesson 1- the snow goose activity is based on a well developed case study.
Locus of Control	Satisfactory	Alien activity only.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

Step 1Select a province
Alberta
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 9
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Environmental Chemistry
- Grade 11
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Biology
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Biology 20: Ecosystems and Population Change
British Columbia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Environmental Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Environmental Science 11: Changing ecosystems are maintained by natural processes.
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Life Science 11: Evolution. Evolution occurs at the population level
- Grade 12
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Specialized Science 12: All members of a species have common characteristics that evolve over time
    - Specialized Science 12: Biodiversity is dependent on the complex interactions and processes between biotic and abiotic factors
Manitoba
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Senior 2 Science: Dynamics of Ecosystems
- Grade 12
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Social Studies
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Citizenship and Sustainability: Area of Inquiry: Environment
    - Global Issues
New Brunswick
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 9
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Science 9 Ecosystem Dynamics: Learning and Living Sustainably
    - Science 9 Ecosystem Dynamics: Scientific Literacy
- Grade 12
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Environmental Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Advanced Environmental Science 120: Earth Systems
    - Advanced Environmental Science 120:Introduction to the human sphere
    - Introduction to Environmental Science 120: An Overview of Environmental Science
Newfoundland & Labrador
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Science 1206: Sustainability of Ecosystems
- Grade 11
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Science 2200: Ecosytems
- Grade 12
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Environmental Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Environmental Science 3205: Land Use & the Environment
    - Environmental Science 3205:Recreation & the Environment
Northwest Territories
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Biology
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Biology 20: Ecosystems and Population Change
Nova Scotia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Science 10: Sustainability of Ecosystems
- Grade 12
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Biology
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - AP Biology: Ecology
    - AP Biology: Natural Selection
  - Environmental Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - AP Environmental Science: Global Change
    - AP Environmental Science: The Living World: Biodiversity
Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Biology
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Biology 20: Ecosystems and Population Change
Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 9
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Geography
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Issues in Canadian Geography (Academic): Interactions in the Physical Environment
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - :Biology: Sustainable Ecosystems
- Grade 11
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Environmental Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Environmental Science (Univ/College Prep.) Scientific Solutions to Contemporary Environmental Challenges
    - Environmental Science (Workplace Prep.) Human Impact on the Environment
- Grade 12
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Geography
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep) : Ecological Systems: Interactions and Interdependence
    - The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship of Natural Resources
    - The Environment & Resource Management (Workplace Preparation): Human-Environment Interactions
Prince Edward Island
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Science 431A: Life Science, Sustainability of Ecosystems
- Grade 12
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  - Environmental Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Environmental Science 621A: Ecological Principles
    - Environmental Science 621A: Human Population and Carrying Capacity
Quebec
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- Grade 10
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  - Science & Technology
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Applied Science & Technology:The Living World
    - Environmental Science & Technology: The Living World
    - Science & Technology:The Living World
    - Science and the Environment: The Living World
Saskatchewan
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Science 10: Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics
Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Environmental Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Environmental Science 11: Changing ecosystems are maintained by natural processes.
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Life Science 11: Evolution. Evolution occurs at the population level
- Grade 12
  - Step 3Select a subject
  - Science
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Specialized Science 12: All members of a species have common characteristics that evolve over time
    - Specialized Science 12: Biodiversity is dependent on the complex interactions and processes between biotic and abiotic factors

Exemplary
Classroom
Resources

Reviewed By Teachers
For Teachers

Evolution, Diversity and the Sustainability of Life

Wetland Ecosystems III

Print this review

Description

General Assessment

Sustainability Education Principles

Pedagogical Approaches

Relevant Curriculum Units

ExemplaryClassroom Resources

Reviewed By Teachers For Teachers

Evolution, Diversity and the Sustainability of Life

Wetland Ecosystems III

Print this review

Description

General Assessment

Sustainability Education Principles

Pedagogical Approaches

Relevant Curriculum Units

Exemplary
Classroom
Resources

Reviewed By Teachers
For Teachers