Teach Your Curriculum Using Environmental Themes

Grade 7

Theme 1 - Ecological Footprints

Curriculum links for this unit: Science Unit A: Interactions and Ecosystems (Social and Environmental Emphasis) 1. Investigate and describe relationships between humans and their environments, and identify related issues and scientific questions 4. Describe the relationships among knowledge, decisions and actions in maintaining life-supporting Environments Science Unit C: Heat and Temperature 1. Illustrate and explain how human needs have led to technologies for obtaining and controlling thermal energy and to increased use of energy resources 4. Analyze issues related to the selection and use of thermal technologies, and explain decisions in terms of advantages and disadvantages for sustainability. Social Studies Topic C - Canada: How have different cultural groups adapted to life in Canada? New Social Studies Curriculum 7.1 Toward Confederation - 7.1.2 appreciate the challenges of co-existence among peoples 7.2 Following Confederation: Canadian Expansions - 7.2.3 appreciate the challenges that individuals and communities face when confronted with rapid change Language Arts Evaluate gathered information; Distinguish between fact and opinion See also: www.education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/curriculum/bySubject/ for more information.

Activities How big is your footprint? How did my footprint get so BIG? Visit to a grocery store A visit to a grocery store in the early 1900s Research food eaten by natives compared to European settlers Concluding Activity: The Nature Challenge

Download this unit plan: grade7-theme1.doc (7 pages, ~265K)

Theme 2 - Plants Are Us

Curriculum links for this unit: Science Unit A: Interactions and Ecosystems (Social and Environmental Emphasis) 1. Investigate and describe relationships between humans and their environments, and identify related issues and scientific questions Science Unit B: Plants for Food and Fibre (Science and Technology Emphasis) 3. Analyze plant environments, and identify impacts of specific factors and controls 4. Identify and interpret relationships among human needs, technologies, environments, and the culture and use of living things as sources of food and fibre. Social Studies Topic C - Canada: How have different cultural groups adapted to life in Canada? New Social Studies Curriculum 7.1 Toward Confederation - 7.1.2 appreciate the challenges of co-existence among peoples 7.2 Following Confederation: Canadian Expansions - 7.2.3 appreciate the challenges that individuals and communities face when confronted with rapid change See also: www.education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/curriculum/bySubject/ for more information.

Activities The Lorax Plant Watch Be a Tree Make a Tree Research on pesticides and issues Wild Edibles and the historical use of plants

Download this unit plan: grade7-theme2.doc (7 pages, ~260K)

Theme 3 - Changing Views on Canada’s Environment

Curriculum links for this unit: Science Unit A: Interactions and Ecosystems (Social and Environmental Emphasis) 1. Investigate and describe relationships between humans and their environments, and identify related issues and scientific questions 4. Describe the relationships among knowledge, decisions and actions in maintaining life-supporting Environments Science Unit B: Plants for Food and Fibre (Science and Technology Emphasis) 4. Identify and interpret relationships among human needs, technologies, environments, and the culture and use of living things as sources of food and fibre. Social Studies Topic C - Canada: How have different cultural groups adapted to life in Canada? New Social Studies Curriculum 7.1 Toward Confederation - 7.1.2 appreciate the challenges of co-existence among peoples 7.2 Following Confederation: Canadian Expansions - 7.2.3 appreciate the challenges that individuals and communities face when confronted with rapid change See also: www.education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/curriculum/bySubject/ for more information.

Activities An Uncertain Future What used to be here? We're all Passengers A look at environmental attitudes in the past

Download this unit plan: grade7-theme3.doc (3 pages, ~245K)