Christmas Trees- Teacher’s Resource

 

Objective: For students to explore the current environmental issues in Ontario, Canada and around the world.

 

Materials Needed:

• Student activity sheets (provided below)

• Computers, phones, tablets, etc.

• Teacher resource (provided)

 

Time Needed:

• Approximately 1 class period

 

Prep:

• Complete one of the following lessons:

  • ​Geography: A. Physical Patterns in a Changing World

  • Geography: B. Natural Resources around the World: Use and Sustainability

  • Science: A. Understanding Structures and Mechanisms

  • Science: B. Understanding Matter and Energy

• Book computer lab, computer carts, etc.

• Print off student activity sheets (1 per person)

 

Guiding Questions:

• Why do different people have different responses to the environment and the opportunities and challenges it presents?

• Why do we need to consider various perspectives when determining the impact of human activities?

• Why would people continue to use methods that contribute to destroying our environment when there are more environmentally safer ways?

• Why is it important for companies to find out what consumers want now and what they might want and/or need in the future?

• What would be the impact on depleted fisheries in a developing nation versus Canada?

 

Execution:

• Organize students into groups of 3 to 4

• Hand out student activity sheets

• Have students use the provided websites to access the information

• Once students are complete teh activity sheet, discuss as a class, or have them hand in (answers are provided for you in the teacher resource, please note, students do not have to  answer word for word, as long as they have the general idea)

Integrated Expectations across subject matters:

Language: Reading

• Read and demonstrate an understanding of informational texts using a range of strategies to construct meaning.

Language: Media Literacy

• Use overt and implied messages to draw inferences and construct meaning in media texts;

• Identify whose point of view is presented or reflected in a media text, citing supporting evidence from the text, and suggest how the text might change if a different point of view were used.

Science

• Analyze the effects of human activities on habitats and communities.

 

Resources used:

Videos

Businessinsider. (2019, December 25). How Christmas Trees Are Grown. Retrieved December 07, 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNr1cCeWqAE

Channel, H. (Director). (n.d.). Origins of Christmas History Channel Documentary [Video file]. History.

N. (2019, December 21). Why You Should Recycle Your Christmas Tree | One Small Step | NowThis. Retrieved December 07, 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IMKQylBxqM

 

Websites

31, M. (2020, July 27). Artificial vs Real Christmas trees: Pros and cons of real and artificial christmas trees. Retrieved December 04, 2020, from https://www.hintsandthings.co.uk/spareroom/artificialtrees.htm

 

Newspaper Articles

Real versus fake Christmas trees: Which one's greener? | CBC News. (2018, December 23). Retrieved December 04, 2020, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/what-on-earth-newsletter-christmas-trees-sustainable-1.4935098

 

Government Sources

Government of Ontario. (2018). Social Studies. Retrieved November 25, 2020, from http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/sshg.html