Explore and Embrace a Special Wild Place

Celebrate National Wildlife Week - April 10 to 16

Each year, the Canadian Wildlife Federation selects a wildlife topic as the focus for National Wildlife Week. This year we feature "Explore and Embrace a Special Wild Place." By using this year's teaching unit, you can help students discover their own special wild spaces, where they can explore their relationship with the wild and find whatever they need — a sense of peace, joy, belonging, rejuvenation, and of appreciation for "wildness." As they come to know the wild creatures that share their space, they'll discover that, although such places provide sanctuary, they also need our protection, whether they are tiny, personal, wild spaces or large parks and officially protected areas.

Learning About Wildlife Unit 23

WHAT’S IN THIS UNIT?

• Hands-on, student-centred activities from Kindergarten to Grade 12;
• Themed lesson plans that provide background information and are curriculum-linked, classroom-ready, and fun.;
• All activities may be used for a culminating event such as a celebration or festival;
• Links to complementary CWF programs, resources, and materials, such as Project WILD;
• Links to supporting Web sites of CWF and partners.

EDUCATIONAL APPROACH

This unit is designed for use in part or its entirety, depending on your available time and your curriculum needs. We begin by helping students make connections to small, local spaces that are special to them and to wildlife. Then we extend the concept, helping students discover places that are regionally, nationally, or even globally special for wildlife. Note: In this unit, wildlife is defined as all non-domesticated living organisms. It includes vertebrate animals (mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles), invertebrate animals, vascular plants, algae, fungi, and all other wild living organisms. As students move through the lessons, they produce artwork, writing, and other pieces that communicate about and celebrate their special wild spaces. These provide the materials for an exciting, culminating event in which the students play a strong leadership role using the organizational aids we’ve included here.

Download a copy of the “Explore and Embrace a Special Wild Place” learning unit, here. (PDF format, large file - 2.51 MB)

Download the cards for the Special Places Trivia game here. (PDF format, large file - 1.16 MB)

To order a print copy of this unit and/or a copy of the Special Places Trivia game board contact CWF.