The Woodland Caribou: A Multi-Media Exploration of a Species at Risk

Transcription

1 The Woodland Caribou: A Multi-Media Exploration of a Species at Risk Lesson Overview This lesson examines the Canadian boreal population of the Woodland Caribou, a species at risk. Following an introduction to the extent of the woodland caribou range on the Canadian Geographic/FPAC Boreal Forest poster-map, students look at two videos: one that offers a visual introduction to the caribou, and another that offers some insight into Aboriginal peoples perception of the caribou. The class reviews a caribou facts sheet. Then, in groups, students prepare multi-media presentations on the caribou. The lesson concludes with a student-written paragraph about the importance of protecting the caribou. Grade Level Grade 9 Time Required Two classes Curriculum Connection (Province/Territory and course) Atlantic Provinces Curriculum for Social Studies: Council of Atlantic Ministers of Education and Training (CAMET): Prince Edward Island, Social Studies 9. Additional Resources, Materials and Equipment Required Canadian Geographic/FPAC Boreal Forest poster-map Caribou Facts Sheet (attached) Multi-Media Student Assignment Sheet on the Caribou (attached) Computers, display equipment and access to the internet Websites: (Video Clips) Being Caribou (Bulldog Films, 2009): Caribou Song By Red Sky Contemporary Native American Dance (3 minutes): contemporary_dance/ Main Objective The main objective of the lesson is to enhance students understanding of the need to protect the Canadian woodland caribou. Learning Outcomes By the end of the lesson, students will be able to: understand that human modification of the physical environment can affect the population of a species such as the Canadian boreal population of the woodland caribou; understand that it can take a coalition of human forces to protect a species and its habitat; understand that a variety of media can be used to develop and organize geographic information.

2 The Lesson Introduction Teacher Activity The lesson opens with a statement about protecting the caribou and a look at the Canadian Geographic/FPAC Boreal Forest poster-map. Inform students that, According to Highlights of the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement, one of the commitments of the Signatories (industry and environmentalists along with fair, inclusive involvement of Aboriginal peoples and their governments ) is to Develop and accelerate implementation of plans to protect species at risk in the boreal forest, with a priority focus on boreal caribou (page 2). On the poster-map, indicate the extent of the boreal forest and the protected boreal caribou range. Show the video excerpt from Being Caribou. Inquire, Based on the video excerpt, what do you believe are some of the challenges faced by the caribou? Student Activity Listen to the introductory statement. Watch Being Caribou. Offer possible interpretations of why this would be so. Before showing the second video, ask, Speculate what might be the meaning of a dance that focuses on two Cree children and a caribou. Speculate on the meaning of a dance that focuses on two Cree children and a caribou. Show the second video. Read the interpretation offered at the site after the students have offered their own attempts. Ask for comparisons of versions. Watch Caribou Song By Red Sky Contemporary Native American Dance. Compare interpretations.

3 Lesson Development Conclusion Give each student a copy of the Caribou Facts Sheet. Read the facts with the class. Group students and assign the topics on the Multi-Media Student Assignment Sheet on the Caribou. (The teacher should advise the students that, due to time limitations, polished results cannot be expected; students are asked only to do their best.) Instruct students to consider the information on the Caribou Facts Sheet as well as ideas offered in the students presentations and construct their own thought web. Direct each student to complete a 150 word paragraph on the importance of protecting the boreal caribou. Take turns reading the facts. Prepare presentations and eventually show them to the class. Make individual thought webs of key points for inclusion in a paragraph. The students individually write their paragraphs. Lesson Extension An appropriate lesson extension would be a study of other animals at risk in the Canadian boreal forest or, for the sake of contrast, a study of a species that is thriving in its environment. For students of Atlantic Canada, an investigation into the extirpation of the caribou in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia would be appropriate. With Interdependence being central to the Grade 9 Social Studies curriculum, students in Prince Edward Island may explore the question, Is Prince Edward Island, which no longer supports caribou, responsible for helping to protect caribou in other parts of Canada or the world?. Assessment of Student Learning The paragraph written by students in the conclusion of the lesson is the source of formal assessment. A requirement for a good score is a clear expression of several reasons for the need to protect the Canadian woodland caribou. As students are given so little time for their multi-media projects, perhaps a completion credit (rather than a mark) should be given. Further Reading Being Caribou (Bulldog Films, 2009): Watch the entire documentary (72 minutes, 20 seconds), a stunning portrait of the challenges facing the caribou, to select scenes for showing at a later date. Canadian Atlas Online Future of Forestry theme Canadian Geographic/FPAC Boreal Forest interactive map

4 Forest Products Association of Canada Hinterlands Who s Who: o o o FPAC fact sheet: Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement.com media-kit/boreal%20forest%20nrcan%20ccfm.pdf A fun video from Canadian Parks and Wilderness Societiy (CPAWS) on the success of the CBFA Environment Canada Caribou Critical Habitat Science Report Species at Risk Act Link to Canadian National Geography Standards Essential Element#5: Environment and Society Global effects of human modification of the physical environment Use and sustainability of resources Essential Element #6: The Uses of Geography Local, regional, and world policies and problems with spatial dimensions Geographic Skill #3: Organizing Geographic Information Use a variety of media to develop and organize integrated summaries of geographic information.

5 Caribou Facts Sheet (1) According to Hinterland Who s Who, the term caribou has probably been derived from the Mi kmaq word xalibu, meaning the one who paws. (2) It is the ability of caribou to use ground and tree lichens--a food source that is digestible and energy-rich--that allows them to survive on the harsh rangeland of the North. (3) Caribou are the most efficient walkers among the ungulates (cloven-hoofed cud-chewing animals) of North America, walking hundreds of kilometres from the taiga to the calving areas on the tundra in the spring. (4) According to Hinterland Who s Who, Woodland caribou became extirpated from (no longer exist in) Prince Edward Island before 1873 and from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia by the 1920s. (5) Caribou cows do not usually bear young until they are at least three years old, and a cow can produce only one calf a year. The caribou s low rate of reproduction makes them susceptible to population declines and makes it difficult for them to recover from these declines. (6) According to Canopy: Protecting Woodland Caribou, caribou are extremely susceptible to habitat disturbance and loss. Primary drivers behind the loss of caribou range across Canada include logging, oil and gas development, as well as other human disturbances. (7) Predators of the caribou, such as wolves and bears, tend to proliferate and prey more readily on the caribou when industrial activities lead to habitat loss, alteration, or fragmentation. (8) According to Greenpeace Canada, logging or industrial development has fragmented approximately 41% of the Canadian Boreal Forest (9) Greenpeace Canada states, An average herd of woodland caribou requires 9,000 square kilometres (5,592 square miles) of undisturbed wilderness, an area larger than most parks in Canada, and at least a 12-kilometer (7.5-mile) buffer between its habitat and forest operations to survive. (10) Hinterland Who s Who states, Many Aboriginal peoples and Inuit based their culture on the caribou, and could not have survived in the north without them. Food, clothing, and shelter have been only a few of the uses of the caribou.

6 Multi-Media Student Assignment Sheet on the Caribou Each topic is meant to explore challenges faced by the caribou and / or the need to protect the caribou: (1) A poster (2) A written pitch for a feature-length documentary (model: the first video early in the lesson) (3) The script for a one-minute television spot/advertisement along with ideas for the accompanying visuals (4) A concept for a family-friendly video game or board game (5) The beginning of a family-friendly graphic novel (6) A brief dramatization/scene intended for a designated audience (for example, a group of grade three children) (7) A brief story or poem (perhaps aimed at children) capturing the mythical qualities of the caribou (model: second video presentation early in the lesson) (8) More possibilities may be generated in class. Topic Chosen: