I have chosen to look at refining my favourite unit on The Salish Sea and Great Bear Rainforest two unique ecosystems on the BC Coast. This is a unit that always brings me a lot of joy as my favourite places on the planet are found within the Salish Sea and Great Bear Rainforest. For those of you that are unfamiliar with these beautiful and unique eco regions I have included maps below. This is a cross curricular unit focusing on science and language arts with some socials competencies pulled in.
Big Ideas
This unit pulls big ideas from English Language Arts and Science.
- All living things sense and respond to their environment. (Science)
- Exploring stories and other texts helps us understand ourselves and make connections to others and to the world. (English Language Arts)
Context
- The Salish Sea and Great Bear Rainforest are two regions that are unique to British Columbia and part of what makes our province so special and majestic. Home to species found no where else on earth such as the Kermode or Spirt Bear these eco regions have captivated people for generations.
- These regions have been celebrated by artists such as Emily Carr and Robert Bateman along with photographer Ian McAllister as well as scientist David Suzuki among many others. Many authors have written about these special regions including Sheryl McFarlane, Ian McAllister, and Deborah Hodge.
- This region was also home to BC’s early logging and fishing industries that brought people to the coast from other parts of Canada and the world. The natural beauty of this region still captivates visitors from around the globe and is a symbol of the beauty of BC.
Statement of Inquiry
The Salish Sea and Great Bear Rainforest are home to unique species that respond to and interact with their environments. These environments have changed over time as humans have interacted with them.
