Overview
The goal of the ‘May The Forest Be With You’ interdisciplinary unit plan is to enhance student appreciation of the value of natural spaces. Studying the forest through a multidisciplinary lens allows students to develop a meaningful, multi-faceted, and balanced perspective of the forest. Students are encouraged to consider the forest as a whole, understanding its importance and interconnectedness of the ecosystem and the planet. Through observations, students make connections to forest changes and their own experiences. Further, students will consider how humans and the forest are interconnected reflecting on multiple perspectives including industry, forest management, Indigenous beliefs, conservation and each other. The unit is divided into four phases of learning:
Phase 1: What is a forest?
Phase 2: What is a forest ecosystem?
Phase 3: What information can be gathered about the forest?
Phase 4: How do humans impact the forests?
Personal expression through art and English language arts enhance these foundational understandings. Rich activities include creating poetry, group presentations, story-telling, and journaling. Students use mathematics and hands-on data collection to explore concepts, create numerical representations, and deepen their understanding of the dynamic nature of the forest. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, satellite images, and digital maps connect technology, the forest, and our planet, through spatial representation. Additional opportunities to find relationships include purposeful field trips, exploration in natural spaces, and connection with experts.
The final multi-modal project provides students with learning outcomes to guide them in finding an area of Alberta that they believe should become the next Provincial Park. Students provide various supporting information for their choice and have an opportunity to creatively express their learning through a medium of their choosing. Respect for the forest and each other is emphasized.