GEOGRAPHY OF CANADA (Academic) – CGC 1D1
NATURAL SYSTEMS UNIT
THE EARTH’S STRUCTURE Specific Expectations: SSI.02B, UMV.01B,
UMI.02B, GCI.05D
1) How is the structure of the earth similar to the structure of an egg?
2) Draw a cross-section diagram of the earth in your notebook. Include: core, mantle, crust, and convection currents. Refer to Figure 10-5 in Making Connections.
3) Investigating Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics
Complete questions #2-4 on page 89 of Making Connections.
4) What evidence exists to prove the Theory of Continental Drift (plate tectonics)? Read pages 90-92 in Making Connections and complete the following questions.
a. Who was Alfred Wegener?
b. Provide four pieces of evidence that Wegner used to prove his theory of continental drift.
c. Compare Wegner’s theory of continental drift with J. Tuzo Wilson’s theory of plate tectonics. How are the two theories similar or different?
5) What was Pangea?
6) Describe at least 3 ways the movements of the earth’s plates shaped Canada’s landforms?
Homework Investigation:
1) Using the Seismic Monitor web site (www.iris.edu/seismon/) monitor global earthquakes in near real-time. Record your observations of current earthquakes on the map using an appropriate symbol.
2) Compare the location of the real-time earthquakes to your plate boundaries. What similarities and differences exist?
EARTH BUILDING FORCES: Specific Expectations: SSV.04B, SSI.02B, GCI.05DFOLDING, FAULTING AND VOLCANOES UMV.01B
Name: ______Date: ______
Folding
Faulting
Type of Fault
/Diagram of Fault
/Plate Movement
/Break
Normal faultReverse fault
Rift Valley
Plateau/ Block Mountain
EROSIONAL FORCES: Specific Expectations: SSV.04B, SSI.02B,
WEATHERING, EROSION AND DEPOSITION GCI.05D, UMV.01B
Name: ______Date: ______
Glaciation (NFB – video)
1) ______year ago, North America was covered with glaciers.
2) Glaciers still exist in ______.
3) Draw a picture that corresponds with each step in the process of glacial ice development.
fresh snow crystal---à fern or corn snow ---à clustered granules ----àsolid glacial ice
4) A ______is known as a glacier.
5) The ______of a glacier moves faster than its ______.
6) The front end of a glacier is called the ______.
7) If snow accumulation > snout melt rate then ______
8) If snow accumulation < snout melt rate then ______
9) If snow accumulation = snout melt rate then ______
10) List all of the landforms that are created by glaciers.
______
11) How do glaciers connect to the food on our plates?
______
Glaciation of Canada
Read pages 118-126 in the Making Connections text.
Complete questions 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 on page 126.
A VIEW FROM SPACE!! Specific Expectations: MIV.02B, MI1.01B, MI2.12B
INTERPRETING LANDSAT IMAGES
Name: ______Date: ______
The Task:
You work for the Canadian Centre for Remote Sensing. You have been asked to make a presentation and prepare a display to show how to interpret and use LANDSAT images for a selected region of Canada. At the conference you will be expected to give a brief 3-5 minute presentation.
The Presentation and Display:
To ensure a successful presentation you must complete the following:
1. Carefully investigate Tour Canada from Space (http://www.ccrs.nrcan.gc.ca/ccrs/learn/tour/tour_e.html) to get a good overview of the different areas of Canada and LANDSAT images available.
2. Select a specific location within Canada that is of interest and be sure that this location has all of the information needed to complete the presentation. Get approval from your “boss” for this location.
3. Read the overview for information pertaining to the location and description of the image.
4. Analyze and interpret the LANDSAT image using available information and your understanding of LANDSAT images (false colours).
Region of Canada: ______
Presentation Evaluation:
· Presenter displays in-depth LANDSAT analysis and interpretation
0 1 2 3 4 5
· Presenter displays the proper presentation techniques
Voice: 0 1 2
Eye Contact: 0 1 2
Body Language: 0 1
Total Mark: /10 (Communications)
Display Checklist and Evaluation:
LANDSAT images and information will be neatly and creatively organized on a half of a Bristol board sheet. Each display should contain the following information:
Checklist Display Components Got It ☺
Ø Title of Location with exact location ______
Ø Overview Picture ______
Ø Close Up Picture(s) / Views ______
Ø 1 paragraph describing the location and landscape
(a map may also be used) ______
Ø 1 paragraph providing the interpretation and analysis ______
Ø 1 paragraph describing how this information
can be used in a practical sense ______
Display Evaluation:
Knowledge/Understanding
Demonstrates an understanding of location 0 1 2 3 4 5
Demonstrates an understanding of how
images can be used 0 1 2 3 4 5
Application
Demonstrates effective interpretation of
satellite images 0 2 4 6 8 10
Thinking and Inquiry
Demonstrates effective analysis of
satellite images 0 2 4 6 8 10
Total Marks: /30 marks
LANDFORM REGIONS OF CANADA Specific Expectations: SSI.02B, UMV.01B,
MIV.01BName: ______Date: ______
Video: Contrasts (Parks Canada)
1) Define the term “landform”: ______
2) Watch the video called “Contrasts”. This video highlights some of the National Parks located across Canada. Every park is located in a different landform region of Canada. Construct a full-page chart like the one below. Complete the chart below to learn about Canada’s landform regions.
Park Name and Location / Landform Region / Description of Landforms (Physical features) / Human Activities that Take Place in ParkConnecting Landform Regions with the Economy
Complete using pages 102-116 in Making Connections and the Oxford School Atlas.
LANDFORMREGION / PROVINCES/
TERRITORIES
COVERED / PHYSICAL
DESCRIPTION
(TOPOGRAPHY) / ROCK
TYPES / RESOURCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Western Cordillera
Hudson Bay -Arctic
Lowlands
Interior Plains
Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Lowlands
Appalachian Mountains
Canadian Shield
CANADA’S CLIMATE AND WEATHER Specific Expectations: SSI.02B, UMV.01B,
MI2.11D, MIV.01BName: ______Date: ______
Read Chapter 12 (pages 127- 134) in Making Connections to complete the work below.
Weather refers to: ______
Climate refers to: ______
Latitude
1) How does latitude (or distance from the Equator) influence climate?
2) Reconstruct Fig. 12-3 on page 129 to illustrate the effects of latitude on climate.
Relief and Elevation
3) How does elevation affect:
a. Temperature
b. Precipitation
4) Explain why the temperature gets colder as the elevation increases.
Moderating Effects of Water
5) Compare the rates at which land and water heat up and cool down.
6) How does the moderating effect of water affect the temperatures of places that are in maritime locations (example: Vancouver and Halifax), compared to places that are in continental locations (example: Winnipeg and Calgary)?
Ocean Currents
7) How do ocean currents affect climate?
8) Compare the ocean currents and climates on Canada’s east and west coasts.
9) Why does the weather on the Grand Banks, off the coast of Newfoundland, tend to be very foggy?
Air Masses
10) What is an air mass?
11) Describe the characteristics of air masses that form over…
a. Oceans
b. Land
12) Compare the climates of continental and maritime locations. In your description refer to: typical seasonal temperatures, annual temperature range and annual precipitation.
Winds and Pressure Systems
13) Reconstruct Fig. 12-9 to illustrate air pressures and wind formation. Use words to also describe what is happening in the diagram.
14) What are the “westerlies”?
Canada’s Climate Regions
Read pages 140-144 in Making Connections. Complete the following work.
· Questions a and b on page 140.
· On page 143 complete questions 1, 3 and 4.
CANADA’S SOILS Specific Expectations: SSI.02B, UMV.01B, HEI.03B,
MI2.11D, MIV.01BName: ______Date:______
Read pages 145-148 in Making Connections to complete the following…
1) List the four basic components of soil.
2) What is topsoil and why is it important to conserve?
3) a) Describe the process of leaching.
b) Are leached soils generally useful for farming?
4) a) Describe the process of calcification.
b) Are calcified soils useful for farming?
GETTING YOUR HANDS “SOILY”!! : SOIL HAND TEXTURING LAB
Sand, silt and clay make up the inorganic (or mineral) part of soil. Clay, the smallest particle, is usually less than 0.002mm in diameter. Silt is mid-ranged with a diameter of 0.002mm to 0.05mm, while sand is the largest particle at 0.05mm - 2.0cm in diameter. Every soil has a different combination of these particles. Some soils may be sandier, while others may have more clay.
Soil texture refers to the proportions (%) of sand, silt and clay found in a soil. The texture of a soil can greatly affect the ability of the soil to hold water. Water tends to drain through soils with lots of sand, while soils with too much clay can become waterlogged. Soils that have an even mixture of sand, silt and clay are called LOAMS. These are considered the best soils because these hold the perfect amount of water for optimal plant growth.
PURPOSE: To determine the soil texture of several soil samples by hand.
MATERIALS:
· several different soil samples
· newspaper to cover work space
· a few drops of water
· your hands!!
PROCEDURE:
For each soil sample you will perform the tests below. It is very important to follow each test in sequence since they build upon each other.
Step / Test / Test Procedure1 / Graininess Test / Soil is rapidly rubbed between thumb and fingers to assess the % of sand. If you feel a lot of individual grains, then you have sand is the soil sample. If you feel a lot of sand go to Test 2. If you do not feel individual sand particles go to Test 3.
2 / Dry Feel Test / Determine if this soil has greater than 50% sand. Soil is rubbed in the palm of the hand to dry it and to separate the particles. Can you see the size of the individual sand particles? The sand particles are then allowed to fall out of the hand and the amount of finer material (silt and clay) remaining is noted. Is most of the sample sand, or smaller particles?
3 / Stickiness Test / Soil sample is wetted and compressed between the thumb and the forefinger. Degree of stickiness is determined by noting how strongly it adheres to the thumb and the forefinger upon release of pressure and how much it stretches. The stickier it is, the more clay in the sample.
4 / Moist Cast Test / Compress some moist soil by clenching it in your hand. If the soil holds together (forms a cast!) then test the strength of the cast by gently passing it from hand to hand. The more durable it is, the more clay present. If it is not so durable, then there is more silt in the sample.
5 / Ribbon Test / Moist soil is rolled into a thin cylinder shape and then squeezed out between the thumb and forefinger to form the longest thinnest ribbon possible. Soils with high silt content will form flakes or peel-like imprints. Soils that form ribbons will have more clay.
6 / Shine Test / Small amount of moderately dry soil is rolled into a ball and rubbed once or twice against your thumbnail. A shine on the ball indicates that there is at least 35% clay in the soil sample.
OBSERVATIONS: (Application: 10 marks)
Tests / Soil Sample 1 /Soil Sample 2
/ Soil Sample 3Graininess Test
Dry Feel Test
Stickiness Test
Moist Cast Test
Ribbon Test
Shine Test
Is the sample mainly sand, silt or clay?
QUESTIONS: (Thinking/Inquiry 10 marks)
1) Which soil samples have the largest particles?
2) Which soil samples have the smallest particles?
3) Which soil samples tended to hold water the best? Explain why.
4) Which soil sample(s) would be the best for farming or gardening? Explain why.
5) Which 3 components of soil does this Soil Texturing Test not examine?
TOTAL MARKS: /20
CANADA’S NATURAL VEGETATION REGIONS Specific Expectations: SSI.02B, SSV. 04B,HEI.03B, UMV.01B, MIV.01B, MI2.11D
Name: ______Date: ______
1) Using page 70 in the Contact Canada text, create the soil and natural vegetation regions on the outlined map of Canada on the other page. Be sure to include a title, border, north arrow and a legend if necessary.
2) Read about the 5 basic natural vegetation zones of Canada on pages 72-75 and complete the table below.
Vegetation Region / Types of Natural Vegetation / Temperature Characteristics / Precipitation Characteristics / Soil Characteristics / Types of WildlifeArctic Tundra
Boreal Forest
Temperate Rainforest
Prairies
Mixed Woodland
WHAT ARE ECOZONES??? Specific Expectations: SSV.02B, SSV.04B, SS1.01B, SSI.02B,
SSI.03B, HEI.03B, UMV.01B, MI2.11D
Name: ______Date: ______
An ECOZONE refers to:
______
Mapping Canada’s Ecozones and National Parks
Use page 4 in Perspectives to help you map Canada’s Ecozones. Each ecozone should be assigned a different colour and then identified in the legend. After you have all of the ecozones on the map, you will place a black dot (●) to show the location of Canada’s 38 National Parks. Use page 122 in Perspectives to see the park locations. (Note: You do NOT have to label each park by name!!) Use the mapping checklist below to ensure you have all necessary components. Then check your map with the mapping rubric on the following page. This is how you will be evaluated!!
Map Component Check √
1) Title…. “CANADA: ECOZONES AND
NATIONAL PARKS ” ______
2) North Arrow ______
3) 15 ecozones accurately mapped ______
(see page 4 in text)
4) 38 national parks accurately ______
mapped with a black dot
(see page 122 in text)
5) Place a star in the ecozone you live in!! ______
6) Legend with box ______
Questions:
1) Which ecozone do you live in?
2) a) Describe the distribution of national parks across Canada.
b) Which ecozones seem to have many parks?
c) Which ecozones have only a few parks?
3) List the 4 national parks located in the Mixedwood Plains Ecozone. Have you visited any?
ECOZONES COMPARISON!!! Specific Expectations: SSV.02B, SSV.04B, SS1.01B,SSI.02B, SSI.03B, HEI.03B, UMV.01B, MI2.11D
Name: ______Date: ______