Environment & Landforms

Grade 5 Science – Ontario Curriculum

Time: 35 minutes
Class size: 20 students
Topic: Environment and Types of Landforms in Canada, with an Emphasis on the Canadian Arctic

---

Curriculum Expectations

Overall Expectations:

• Understanding Earth and Space Systems: Demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics and components of Earth's systems, including landforms and environmental regions in Canada.
• Specific Expectation:
  • B1.1 Identify the major landforms in Canada, with emphasis on the Canadian Arctic region, describing their physical characteristics.
  • B2.2 Describe the impact of environmental conditions on the physical features of various regions, including the Arctic.

---

Learning Goals

By the end of the lesson, students will:

• Understand key Canadian landforms with a focus on the Arctic region.
• Recognize how the environment shapes these landforms.
• Appreciate the significance of landforms in the Canadian Arctic to its ecosystems.

I Can Statements

• I can identify major landforms in Canada, including the Arctic.
• I can explain how the environment affects these landforms.
• I can describe unique features of the Canadian Arctic landscape.

---

Success Criteria

• Students correctly label and describe at least three landforms in Canada.
• Students explain, in their own words, how cold Arctic conditions influence these landforms.
• Students actively participate in group discussions and activities.

---

Materials Needed

• Large Canadian landform map (highlighting Arctic regions)
• Images/photos of Canadian Arctic landforms (tundra, icebergs, glaciers, islands)
• Whiteboard/chart paper and markers
• Sticky notes
• Student Science Journals
• Mini “Arctic Explorer” worksheet

---

Lesson Outline

1. Engage (5 minutes)

• Begin with a quick “Think-Pair-Share”:
  Question: What types of land do you think exist in Canada’s Arctic region?
• Students discuss their ideas with a partner, then share as a class.
• Teacher records key ideas on the board.

Differentiation:

• Provide sentence starters (“I think the Arctic has...”) for students who need language support.

---

2. Explore (10 minutes)

• Show the physical map of Canada focusing on the Arctic. Discuss major landforms: Arctic tundra, glaciers, ice sheets, islands, and permafrost.
• Display photos to depict each landform and point out specific environmental features (e.g., frozen ground, ice cover, lack of trees).
• Use "I can" prompts during explanation to reinforce learning.

Differentiation:

• Use visuals and labelled diagrams for English Language Learners and students with learning differences.
• Provide printed glossary of terms.

---

3. Explain (10 minutes)

• Interactive mini-lecture connecting environment to landforms:

  • How cold temperatures lead to permafrost and limited vegetation.
  • Glacial movement shaping islands and valleys.
  • The importance of icebergs and frozen water in the Arctic ecosystem.

• Use real examples such as Baffin Island, Ellesmere Island, and specific glaciers.

• Students complete the “Arctic Explorer” worksheet: matching landforms to their descriptions and writing one sentence explaining how environment shaped that landform.

Differentiation:

• Allow students to respond orally or draw for those who struggle with writing.
• Pair stronger writers with peers needing support.

---

4. Elaborate (7 minutes)

• Small group activity (4-5 students per group):
  Each group receives a small picture card of a Canadian Arctic landform.
• Groups create a quick ‘Explainer Chart’:
  • Name of landform
  • Description
  • One way the environment influenced it
• Groups present their chart to the class (1 minute each).

Differentiation:

• Assign roles based on student strengths (presenter, recorder, artist, researcher).
• Provide sentence frames for presentations.

---

5. Evaluate (3 minutes)

• Exit ticket: On a sticky note, students write:
  “One cool thing I learned about Canadian Arctic landforms is...”
• Collect notes for formative assessment.

---

Assessment & Next Steps

• Teacher assesses knowledge through worksheet, group charts, and exit tickets.
• Plan a follow-up lesson exploring animal adaptations in the Canadian Arctic, linking environment, landforms, and ecosystems.

---

Reflection & Teacher Notes

• Encourage curiosity by linking landforms to daily life and climate change impacts.
• Consider using a virtual tour or video of Arctic landscapes in future lessons to deepen engagement.

---

This detailed plan aligns closely with the Ontario Science Curriculum, focusing on understanding Earth’s systems (B1, B2 strands) and integrating environmental context to support holistic learning about Canada’s Arctic landforms for Grade 5 students.