Alberta: A Sense of Land (Part Two)

Rationale
In this unit, students take an in depth look at Albertas natural resources and how their existence
impacts communities, employment, and internal relationships with Albertas FMNI population.
Students also examine Albertas paleontological history and discover that the land we now call
Alberta was once a home to many species of dinosaur. This outcome will be complimented by a
virtual tour of the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller, Alberta.

Unit Planning Organizer

Subject: Social Studies

Grade: 4

Date and Unit Duration: February 2-29th, 2016

1. Unit Overview Focusing Question
How does Albertas physical geography impact quality of life?
2. General Learning Outcomes for Unit
GLO 4.1:
Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of how elements of physical
geography, climate, geology and paleontology are integral to the landscapes and
environment of Alberta.
3. Focusing Questions for Unit (Related Questions)
1. What are the significant natural resources in Alberta, and where are they located (e.g.,
mineral deposits, coal, natural gas and oil, forests)? (ER, LPP)
2. How are Albertas provincial parks and protected areas and the national parks in
Alberta important to the sustainability of Albertas natural environment? (ER, LPP)
3. How did archeologists and paleontologists discover the presence of dinosaurs in
Alberta? (LPP, TCC)
4. In what ways do the physical geography and natural resources of a region determine
the establishment of communities? (LPP)
5. How are natural resources used by Albertans (i.e., agriculture, oil and natural gas,
forests, coal)? (ER, LPP)
6. How do Albertans deal with competing demands on land use (e.g., conservation, solar
and wind power, recreation, agriculture, oil exploration, forestry)? (ER, LPP)
7. In what ways does the Royal Tyrrell Museum contribute to scientific knowledge
regarding Albertas fossil heritage? (ER, LPP, TCC)
8. How can ownership of a discovered artifact be determined? (C, ER, PADM)
9. Whose responsibility should it be to ensure the preservation of national parks,
provincial parks and protected areas in Alberta? (C, LPP, PADM)

4. Key Concepts for Unit

Bitumen
Conservation
Conserve
Electricity
Energy
Fossil
Fossil Fuels
Iinisskimm
Natural Resources
Non-renewable resources
Oil sands
Paleontologists
Renewable Resources
5. Specific Learning Outcomes for Unit

Knowledge: Students will

4.1.3 Examine, critically, how geology and paleontology contribute to knowledge of
Albertas physical geography by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions
and issues:
How did archeologists and paleontologists discover the presence of dinosaurs in
Alberta? (LPP, TCC)
4.1.4: Analyze how Albertans interact with their environment by exploring and reflecting
upon the following questions and issues:
In what ways do the physical geography and natural resources of a region determine the
establishment of communities? (LPP)
How are natural resources used by Albertans (i.e., agriculture, oil and natural gas,
forests, coal)? (ER, LPP)
How do Albertans deal with competing demands on land use (e.g., conservation, solar
and wind power, recreation, agriculture, oil exploration, forestry)? (ER, LPP)
In what ways does the Royal Tyrrell Museum contribute to scientific knowledge
regarding Albertas fossil heritage? (ER, LPP, TCC) How can ownership of a discovered
artifact be determined? (C, ER, PADM)
Whose responsibility should it be to ensure the preservation of national parks,
provincial parks and protected areas in Alberta? (C, LPP, PADM)

Attitude:
4.1.1 Value Albertas physical geography and natural environment:
What are the significant natural resources in Alberta, and where are they located (e.g.,
mineral deposits, coal, natural gas and oil, forests)? (ER, LPP)
How are Albertas provincial parks and protected areas and the national parks in Alberta
important to the sustainability of Albertas natural environment? (ER, LPP)

Skill: Students will

4.S.4: demonstrate skills of decision making and problem solving:
contribute and apply new ideas and strategies, supported with facts and reasons, to
decision making and problem solving
identify situations where a decision needs to be made and a problem requires attention
4.S.7 apply the research process:
develop the skills of skimming and scanning to gather relevant information
organize and synthesize information gathered from a variety of sources
Established Goals:
1. Students develop and appreciation for the impact that Albertas
natural resources have on quality of life.
2. Students know the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources.
Understandings:
Students will understand that
1. Alberta is exists in a number of different physical regions.
2. Alberta has a vast number of landscapes and landforms.
3. Albertas climate differs across the province due a variety of
factors (e.g. latitude).

Assessments

Assessment Tool and Activity

Overview
Assessment
Tool Title
Alberta: Sense
of Land
workbook
Various
Assessments
found
throughout

Outcomes

Brief Description

4.1.1, 4.1.2,
4.1.3

This workbook encompasses the entire

unit in various mapping, knowledge, and
inquiry exercises that students will use to
review lessons.

3
0

Fo
r

AS

OF

the Workbook
Alberta Natural
Tourism Project
Thursdays,
January 14th,
21st, and 28th
Weekly Learning
Logs
Fridays,
January 8th,
15th, and 29th
Unit Test

4.1.2, 4.1.3

This project gives students the

opportunity to explore a natural site in
Alberta and present a tourist information
presentation.

4.1.1, 4.1.2,
4.1.3

These short journal entries give students

an opportunity to answer outcome based
questions and reflect deeply on the
weeks learning.

4.1.1, 4.1.2,
Friday, January 4.1.3
29th
Royal Tyrell
Museum Virtual
Tour Review
4.1.4
Wednesday,
January 20th

This test encompasses the entire unit in

one final test. Since the unit is 4 weeks in
length, students will be able to study
from their workbook and learning logs.

2
0
Y

2
0
Y

2
0

1
0
Review and discussion on the Royal Tyrell
Virtual Tour we will attend

Resources:
Alberta Voices and Visions Grade Four Text.
Various Edmonton Public School Board Resources