Unit 9 (GA Unit 9): Environmental and Economic Forces in Canada

In this unit, students will focus on economic development in Canada. Students will analyze human environmental interaction with the environment by looking at the impact of government policies and individual behaviors. Students will explain how the location and availability of resources affect where people in Europe live and how the unequal distribution of resources impacts trade in Europe. The theme of production, distribution, and consumption will be studied as students evaluate how voluntary trade benefits buyers and sellers in Canada. Students will describe the factors that influence economic growth and examine their presence or absence in Canada. Students will also explain how the literacy rate in Canada affects this nation’s development in the modern world.

Time Frame: 3 weeks

Standards Taught

SS6G5 The student will locate selected features of Canada.

a. Locate on a world and regional political-physical map: the St. Lawrence River, Hudson Bay, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, the Great Lakes, Canadian Shield, and Rocky Mountains.

SS6G6 The student will explain the impact of location, climate, distribution of natural resources, and population distribution on Canada.

a. Describe how Canada’s location, climate, and natural resources have affected where people live.

b. Describe how Canada’s location, climate, and natural resources impact trade.

SS6G7 The student will discuss environmental issues in Canada.

a. Explain the major environmental concerns of Canada regarding acid rain and pollution of the Great Lakes, the     extraction and use of natural resources on the Canadian Shield, and timber resources.

SS6E1 The student will analyze different economic systems.

a. Compare how traditional, command, and market, economies answer the economic questions of 1-what to produce, 2- how to produce, and 3-for whom to produce.

b. Explain how most countries have a mixed economy located on a continuum between pure market and pure     command.

c. Compare and contrast the basic types of economic systems found in Canada, Cuba, and Brazil.

SS6E2 The student will give examples of how voluntary trade benefits buyers and sellers in Latin America and the Caribbean and Canada.

a. Explain how specialization encourages trade between countries.

b. Compare and contrast different types of trade barriers, such as tariffs, quotas, and embargos.

c. Explain the functions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

d. Explain why international trade requires a system for exchanging currencies between nations.

SS6E3 The student will describe factors that influence economic growth and examine their presence or absence in Latin America.

a. Explain the relationship between investment in human capital (education and training) and gross domestic product     (GDP).

b. Explain the relationship between investment in capital (factories, machinery, and technology) and gross domestic     product (GDP).

c. Describe the role of natural resources in a country’s economy.

d. Describe the role of entrepreneurship.

Essential Questions/Enduring Understandings

HUMAN ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION: The student will understand that humans, their society, and the environment affect each other.

        How do people contribute to Canada’s pollution problems?

        How are acid rain, pollution of the Great Lakes, the extraction and use of         natural resources on the Canadian Shield, and timber resources Canada’s         major environmental concerns?

PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION AND CONSUMPTION: The student will understand that the production, distribution, and consumption of goods/services produced by the society are affected by the location, customs, beliefs, and laws of the society.

        How do the three types of economic systems (traditional, command, and         market economies) answer the questions of what, how, and for whom to         produce?

        How do most countries strike a balance between having a pure market and         pure command economy?

        How does specialization enhance Canada’s ability to trade with other         countries?

        How do trade barriers (tariffs, quotas, and embargos) hinder voluntary trade         from occurring between countries?

        How does the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) impact        Canada’s economy and trade?

       Why is it necessary to exchange currencies for nations to trade?

LOCATION: The student will understand that location affects a society’s economy, culture, and development.

        How do the factors of location, climate, access to water, and natural           resources affect where Canadians choose to live and work?

        How do the factors of location, climate, access to water, and natural         resources affect trade?

 Skills & Knowledge

        What is the basic type of economic system found in Canada?

        What are the different types of physical and economic trade barriers in         Canada?