Critical+Challenge+4

= Where to Put the People? = Outcomes

How do landforms, bodies of water and natural resources affect the quality of life in Canada?

In what ways do natural resources and the physical geography of a region determine the establishment of communities?

Lost Rivers Air Photos 101 Travel Alberta

Identify the best location for a new community in an assigned region. Students learn how factors, such as transportation, natural resources, geography and climate, affect communities by determining the best location for a new community within an assigned region.

Students consider the location of their own community and speculate why it is located where it is. Show photographs that clearly indicate the surrounding physical geography, such as the community' s proximity to arable land and water sources.
 * Consider the location of your local community **

Discuss the location of other communities in Alberta. Explain that many communities are established in First Nations settlement or gathering/trading areas, fur trade posts or early Francophone settlements. Similarities and differences in the following features:
 * Examine the location of other communities **
 * landforms or other geographical features
 * transportation routes
 * natural resources
 * proximity to bodies of water and arable land
 * climate
 * latitude and its influence on climate
 * elevation and its relationship to climate
 * rainfall.

Some communities are deliberately planned and built in a scheduled fashion. Cite the example of Edmonton and present information on the city's development, including aerial photographs and factual information (see References). Provide students with general facts on climate, type of natural resources, geographical features and forms of transportation.
 * Introduction to concept: Planned communities **

Consider whether or not Edmonton or some other planned community is well located. Develop criteria for a well-situated community, such as:
 * Develop criteria for well-situated communities **
 * favourable climate: latitude, elevation, proximity to water, rain shadow
 * proximity to abundant natural resources
 * geographical beauty/interest
 * ease of transportation.

Students adopt the roles of community planners who must find locations for three or four new communities.
 * Research and rate possible sites for a new community **

** Rating Communities ** || ** 0 **


 * ** 1 ** || ** 2 ** || ** 3 ** ||
 * ** criterion is not present ** || ** criterion is present to some extent ** || ** criterion is mostly present ** || ** criterion is completely present ** ||

|| ** Criteria **

|| ||  ||  ||
 * ** Edmonton ** ||
 * ** Favourable climate ** || Evidence: northern continental climate with temperature variance from -40°C to +40°C; low precipitation levels
 * ** Close proximity to natural resources ** || Evidence: large oil and gas reserves, forestry, Elk Island National Park
 * ** Geographical beauty/interest ** || Evidence: many city parks (river valley, Hawrelak Park), historical parks (Fort Edmonton), waterways (North Saskatchewan River), varied recreational venues, beautification projects (Communities in Bloom)
 * ** Easily accessed ** || Evidence: flat land makes it easy to build roads and railways; access to a river

Trace the main transportation routes, such as highways and railways, in their region on a large wall map of Canada.

Invite the community planners to present their recommendations to the rest of the class.
 * Ranking the locations **

Choose the best-situated proposed community overall. **Assessing the Rankings**


 * **Underdeveloped** || **Competent** || **Well Developed** ||
 * **Identifies relevant evidence** || Identifies very little evidence of key factors. || Identifies obvious pieces of evidence of key factors, but overlooks some important considerations. || Identifies many pieces of evidence of the most important factors. ||
 * **Justifies rankings** || No plausible justification is given for any of the assigned rankings. || Justification for each ranking touches upon some key factors. || Justification for each ranking shows thoughtful consideration of the most important factor ||


 * Dimensions of thinking focus:** critical thinking and creative thinking, historical thinking, decision making and problem solving