This resource explores forest habitats in Canada. Students learn about the life cycles of plants and animals, and how both living and non-living elements are linked. By discovering how plants, animals and humans depend on each other, students become aware of the importance of sustainable forestry and conservation. By exploring past and present forestry technology, students also learn how we rely on our forests, and how our forests rely on us.

The Grade 4 resource introduces students to habitats and food webs, and explores how living and non-living elements rely on each other. Students will study endangered species, explore how humans have had an impact on their habitats, and develop solutions for protecting endangered species.

This resource introduces students to the proposed pipeline that oil companies want to build in the Mackenzie Valley in the Northwest Territories. By learning about the plants, animals and human communities that live near the Mackenzie Valley wetlands, students will understand the importance of protecting habitats before the pipeline is built. They will also look at the ways we extract and use fossil fuels for energy and gain awareness about the need for global environmental initiatives like the Kyoto Accord. The activities encourage students to explore the differences between renewable and non-renewable sources of energy, and to pursue creative alternatives for clean energy.

The Grade 6 resource helps students understand how both scientists and conservationists classify nature to help them make connections. Students learn how our planet is made up of different ecoregions, as well as how scientists classify plant and animal species. The resource also introduces cells as the basic units of life, and reveals why even the tiniest microorganisms have an integral role in every ecosystem. Activities encourage comparisons between environments, governments, climates and cultures in Canada and Cuba to help students understand similarities and differences.

This resource helps students appreciate that our oceans are not a never-ending resource. Students learn the impact of overfishing, ship traffic, and water contaminants. By exploring marine protected areas (MPAs), they come to understand how removing even one species of plant or animal can break food chains and disrupt the complex balance in our oceans. They explore the positive effects that establishing MPAs can have on protecting sea life. Activities teach them about protecting at-risk species and help them foster a sense of environmental stewardship.

This resource introduces water as an essential element in the life of all species. Students conduct experiments to understand the properties of salt water versus fresh water. By studying the changing habitat of the polar bear, students learn about the impact of global warming and its effects on the world’s glaciers, oceans, and fresh water. Students learn how important Canada’s fresh water supply is to the world. Activities encourage them to question their daily practices, consider ways to conserve water, and take steps to reduce pollution.