Lesson

Title/Focus

Vegetation and Farming in the Canadian

Shield

Date

Nov. 20, 2015

Group

Grade 4/5

Time
Duratio
n

50 mins

OUTCOMES FROM ALBERTA PROGRAM OF STUDIES

General
Learning
Outcomes:

5.1 Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of

how the physical geography and natural resources of Canada affect
the quality of life of all Canadians.
Specific
5.1.1 value Canadas physical geography and natural environment
Learning
5.1.2 examine, critically, the physical geography of Canada by
Outcomes:
exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Students will:
1. Recognize the natural vegetation of the Canadian Shield
2. Identify crops grown in the Canadian Shield
3. Recognize differences in growing conditions for different crops
4. Compare and contrast the crops of the Canadian Shield to Southern Alberta

ASSESSMENTS
Observations:

Key Questions:

Products/Performa
nces:

The students could identify characteristics of the vegetation

The students connected the differences in vegetation with the different
physical characteristics of the region
The students understood the unique growing conditions of the crops
How is the vegetation different in the Canadian Shield than in other
regions of Canada?
How do the conditions affect the crops that are grown?
Contribution to classroom discussions
Ability to place the proper crops in the Venn diagram

LEARNING RESOURCES CONSULTED

Alberta Education Program of Studies
Our Land and People Textbook

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

SMART board presentation

Maps from previous day
Extra writing utensils

PROCEDURE
Prior to lesson
Attention Grabber

Set up SMART board presentation.

Introduction
Review the previous lesson
Why do we use the word diverse to describe the geography of
the Canadian Shield?

Assessment of
Prior Knowledge

Does anybody know what the different climate zones of the

Canadian Shield are?

Transition to Body

Can anyone make predictions on how the vegetation may be

different in this region from our experience with the Interior
Plains?
Body

Adapted from a template created by Dr. K. Roscoe

Time

9:20-9:30

Time

Learning Activity
#1

The polar willow and the jack pine:

Show pictures on the SMART board of the polar willow and the
jack pine

Ask for the distinct characteristics of them

Try to get them to identify the characteristics by
observation and analyzation rather than handing it to
them
Have them discuss amongst their desk groups some
characteristics and then share ideas as a class

Polar Willow
Round dark green leaves
Short (3cm high)
Purple-brown hairy buds
Long underground branches
Jack Pine
Coniferous evergreen
Under 20 m high
Found on sandy or rocky soils
Stick, hard buds stay on tree for years
Need extreme heat to release seeds very hot day or
forest fires

9:30-9:40

Reflection Notes

Learning Activity
#2

Farming in the Canadian Shield

Why would farming in the Canadian Shield be different from
farming in Southern Alberta?
Relate this to the students lives many of them are farmers
Cranberries
Does anyone know how cranberries are grown?
Show video 6 mins
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=XZPXQ7nw_9Y
How are the growing conditions of the Canadian Shield
good for growing cranberries?
Blueberries
How would harvesting blueberries be different than
cranberries?
o Think of the hardness of the skin
Dont require being submerged
Wild Rice
Though it is submerged, it is collected via boat and
beating tool
How are the growing conditions of the Canadian Shield good
for growing cranberries, blueberries, and wild rice?
- Deep wetlands, sandy soil

Adapted from a template created by Dr. K. Roscoe

9:40-9:55

Reflection Notes

Learning Activity
#3

Venn diagram
Compare and contrast the crops of the Canadian Shield to
those of Southern Alberta
Have students come up and drag crops and vegetation
into the correct category
Begin by choosing students who grasp the concept well
and then allow those who were struggling to try it after
seeing some examples

9:5510:05

Reflection Notes

Consolidation of
Learning:
Transition To Next
Lesson

Closure
How is the vegetation different in the Canadian Shield than in
other regions of Canada?
How do the conditions affect the crops that are grown?
Clean up and put away papers
Relate crops to the concept of resources and ask what other
resources may be in the Canadian Shield. Leave them to
think about it until the next day.

Adapted from a template created by Dr. K. Roscoe

Time

10:0510:10