General information

Title: Forest Management
Theme: Forestry Workers
Teaching level: Primary
Discipline: Social Science

General learning results:
- Organization of a community across its geographical area

- Changes in the organization of a community across its geographical area

- Diversity of communities across their territory

Transdisciplinary learning results:
- Communication
- Use of ICT
- Critical thinking
- Personal and social development
- Culture and heritage
- Work habits

Specific learning results:
Organization:
- Describe the main characteristics of the natural environment and inhabited land of New Brunswick
- Establish links between the needs of New Brunswick citizens and elements of the inhabited land in the province.

Change:
- Point out significant differences between the actual occupancy of New Brunswick and its occupancy at the time of its establishment. (1784)

Diversity:
- Identify similarities and differences between New Brunswick and another province.

Technical skills and civics:
- Share with other students in class
- Express an opinion
- Use vocabulary associated with concepts of time, area, and society

Teaching preparation

Proposed task:
The students discuss means that would effectively manage the protection of our forest resources.
Next, they identify means practiced by different partners in forest management to conserve that natural resource.
Inviting a forest ranger or engineer to class can give students a better outlook on his role and responsibilities and on the importance of the input of all citizens of the province.

Interdisciplinarity:
- English
- Information Technology
- Personal and Social Development (PSD)
- Work habits

Materials:
- Computers
- Internet sites
- Videos and pictures on the Internet site
- Documents available on the site www.toucherdubois.ca and other sites

Resource person(s):
- Forest ranger
- Mayor of the local municipality
- Local member of the Legislative Assembly

Learning preparation

Proposed approach:
Procedure :
- Make students aware of the importance of the forest resources.
- Increase awareness of students regarding means taken to conserve forests and ecosystems.
- Develop in students a better understanding of their role and responsibilities as citizens.
- Make students realize that industrial and individual activities in the forests can modify the quality and productivity of the forests.
- Discuss the importance of respecting nature’s way and protecting the habitat and ecosystems.

Preparation :
- Show pictures of the forest environment and the fauna.
- Bring students to think about the various needs fulfilled by forest resources.
- Share the following concern and ask students to solve the problem :
The mayor of your town and the local MLA are worried about the state of the neighbouring forest and the town environment. During a meeting they raise the following issues: pollution in the woods and on the streets, forest fires, decline of the fauna, diminishing living standards and quality of trees. The mayor and the MLA are asking the audience to recommend means to solve those problems. Can you give them a hand?

Objectivation:
- What do we find in our forests?
- How does the forest provide for us?
- What needs are filled by the forest resources?
- Do you think the forest is a renewable resource?
- What is an ecosystem?
- What is the fauna?
- Is the forest today the same as it was in our ancestors’ time? How is it similar and different?

Learning realisation

Proposed approach:
- Following the presentation of the problem in Section 1, brainstorm and ask students to point out the problems of the city.
- Divide the class into groups of 4 students.
- Assign a problem to each group. Make sure all problems raised are tackled by the class.
- Students research various Internet sites in their quest to find solutions to the problem assigned to their group.
- Students note the following on a chart to solve the problem more easily:
- State the problem
- Enumerate resources needed to solve the problem
- Find 3 possible solutions
- Choose one solution and give two reason for your choice
- Describe some responsibilities linked to the solution
- Each group must present his problem, suggest a solution and explain it to the class. That presentation can be supported with the use of illustration software presentation such as Power Point.

Objectivation:
- What must your group solve?
- How can that problem be solved?
- As a responsible citizen how can you help improve the environment?
- Are the solutions you propose realistic? Explain.

Learning integration

Proposed approach:
- Invite a forest ranger or forest engineer
- Visit a trail one found in an experimental forest, for example.
- Discuss with the mayor or the MLA the problems and solutions suggested by students.

Diversity :
- Research the history of urban forests in Canada
- Research our community to see how we can develop an urban forest http://www.treecanada.ca/programs/urbanforestry/cufn/resources_bmpfr.html
- Research on the Internet where urban forests can be found in Canada. Shade those regions on an outline map of Canada.

Objectivation:
- What could happen if we neglect to protect our environment?
- What can we do to become eco-citizens?
- What do you do to protect the environment?