5.1 Physical Geography of Canada

General Outcome

Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of how the physical geography and natural resources of Canada affect quality of life of all Canadians.

Specific Outcomes

Students will:
5.1.1 Value Canada’s physical geography and natural environment:
• appreciate the environmental significance of national parks and protected areas in Canada (ER, LPP)
• demonstrate care and concern for the environment through their choices and actions (GC, LPP)
• appreciate the geographic vastness of Canada (LPP)

Knowledge and Understanding

5.1.2 critically examine the physical geography of Canada by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:
• What are the major geographical regions, landforms and bodies of water in Canada? (LPP)
• How do landforms, bodies of water and natural resources affect the quality of life in Canada? (LPP)
• How have natural disasters and severe weather been part of Canada’s physical geography? (LPP, TCC)
• What are the differences and similarities between the regions of Canada? (LPP)
• How is the geographical region they live in different from other regions of Canada? (LPP)
• What are the factors which determine climate in the diverse regions of Canada (e.g.,
latitude, water, mountains)? (LPP)
• How are Canada’s national parks and protected areas important to the sustainability of Canada’s natural environment? (ER, LPP)

5.1.3 analyze how people in Canada interact with the environment by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

• How are natural resources used, exchanged and conserved in Canada? (ER, LPP)
• Whose responsibility should it be to ensure the preservation of Canada’s national parks and protects areas

Science

Topic D: Weather Watch

Students will:
5–8 Observe, describe and interpret weather phenomena; and relate weather to the heating and cooling of Earth’s surface.
5–9 Investigate relationships between weather phenomena and human activity.

2. Describe patterns of air movement, in indoor and outdoor environments, that result when one area is warm and another area is cool.
3. Describe and demonstrate methods for measuring wind speed and for finding wind direction.
4. Describe evidence that air contains moisture and that dew and other forms of precipitation come from moisture in the air.
5. Describe and measure different forms of precipitation, in particular, rain, hail, sleet, snow.
8. Identify some common types of clouds, and relate them to weather patterns.
10. Recognize that weather systems are generated because different surfaces on the face of Earth retain and release heat at different rates.
12. Recognize that human actions can affect climate, and identify human actions that have been linked to the greenhouse effect.
13. Appreciate how important it is to be able to forecast weather and to have suitable clothing or shelter to endure various types of weather.