Special Places: Eco-lessons from the National Parks in Atlantic Canada

Grade 4

More Than a Campground!

Table of Contents:

• Summary
• Learning Outcomes
• Activity Information
• Teacher Background
• Procedure
• Evaluation
• References
• Resources

Summary

Students will explore the variety of habitats in each of the seven national parks in Atlantic Canada and understand what makes them special enough to be a national park.

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Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• explain the concept of “habitat” as it relates to the needs and habits of a particular plant or animal;
• describe in what ways each national park in Atlantic Canada is unique and special;
• defend the importance of national parks in Canada;
• explain how national parks can provide different things to different people.

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Activity Information

Grade level: 4

Subject: Science (Atlantic)– Habitats

Curriculum linkages: 104-6; 108-1; 204-3; 206-1; 301-1; 301-2; 302-3 (Students will be able to use the terms habitat, population and community in the appropriate context, predict how the removal of a plant or animal population affects the rest of the community, and relate habitat loss to the endangerment or extinction of plants and animals.)

Duration: Approximately 120 minutes

Setting: Classroom

Materials: Markers, construction paper, paint, Student Information Sheets on each of the seven national parks in Atlantic Canada.

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Teacher Background

The area where an animal, plant or micro-organism lives and finds food, water, shelter, space and other essentials necessary to survive is called its habitat. National parks play an important role in habitat protection. They have been described as treasured sanctuaries in a sea of development. As our world continues to develop at a rapid pace, they become more important than ever! They are landscapes of outstanding natural beauty and inspiration, places where one can explore, hike, climb, ski, canoe and enjoy the great outdoors. They are also living laboratories that enable us to learn about natural systems, how they work, and how they are affected by human activity. National parks are home to many rare and endangered species such as the piping plover, and beloved symbols such as the beaver, wolf, grizzly and polar bear.

At the same time, however, they offer a place for recreational camping, a place where any and all the resources and facilities you may need are easily available. For example, Malady Head Campground in Terra Nova National Park is a place where you can experience nature at its best without sacrificing the services necessary for a good holiday. This campground boasts heated washrooms, showers, a playground and a kitchen shelter.

Then there is the option of backcountry camping at Fundy National Park. Low-impact camping at one of the 15 backcountry campsites is an entirely different kind of camping experience.

People visit the national parks for a variety of reasons. Some people seek a quiet, tranquil and rustic camping experience while others will be more concerned with wildlife viewing and not care as much about the camping facilities. Others will focus on the guided walks and evening activities that the park’s interpretive staff offer. Still others will focus on the unique recreational activities some parks offer: a heated saltwater pool at Fundy, boating and fishing at all national parks, as well as golf and other, more specialized recreational activities.

The importance of national parks as special places and their role in ecosystem protection in Canada is an important theme that you can explore with your class. Rather than assuming that the national parks are only places for them to visit on a holiday, students will discover the fundamental reasons why national parks exist in the first place.

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Procedure

This lesson will have the students create a picture/mural that captures all the things that they believe make a national park special.

1. Discuss the term “habitat” with the students. Have them consider how food, water, shelter, and space impact on an animal they are familiar with.
2. Have the class brainstorm ideas about what types of “things” are found in a national park, e.g. trees, birds, water, trails, campsites, etc.
3. Ask the students to consider: “What makes a national park special?”
4. Brainstorm with the students:
• What factors make a park special to kids?
• What factors make a park special to their parents or caregivers?
• What factors make a park special to wildlife?
• What kinds of habitats can you find in different parks?
• How do national parks protect habitats?
5. Generate a “What makes a national parks special?” list from the above factors that you want the students to consider as they prepare to develop a mural that describes national parks’ special role.
6. Break the class into groups of three to four. Assign each group a national park and the associated Student Information Sheet.
7. Explain that they will create a mural that considers some of the factors that make a national park special. They need to include at least five of the factors that are identified on the “What makes a national parks special?” list.

Each group of students will present its mural to the class.

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Evaluation

Have the students write a story that describes the things depicted in their poster that they believe make a national park special.

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References

• Parks Canada Web site: www.parkscanada.gc.ca

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Resources

• Student Information Sheet: Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada
• Student Information Sheet: Fundy National Park of Canada
• Student Information Sheet: Gros Morne National Park of Canada
• Student Information Sheet: Kejimkujik National Park of Canada
• Student Information Sheet: Kouchibouguac National Park of Canada
• Student Information Sheet: Prince Edward Island National Park of Canada
• Student Information Sheet: Terra Nova National Park of Canada