What in the World? Level 2 Issue 7
Alberta Puts Canada To The Test
Before Reading (p. 4)
Have students watch this brief summary of the question of Alberta separatism:
Questions for online exploration (p. 10)
1. Review the current mood in Alberta as the May 3 deadline for signatures in support of separatism approaches:
2. Learn more about the questions and concerns of stakeholders who will be impacted by this issue:
Albertans:
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/abacus-data-alberta-separation-poll-9.7116515
- https://abacusdata.ca/alberta-independence-remains-a-minority-view-most-believe-premier-smith-would-vote-to-separate/
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith:
King Charles:
First Nations in Alberta:
Francophone Albertans:
Canadians:
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-separatism-canada-survey-quebec-9.7103556 [2:23]
- https://angusreid.org/national-views-of-separation/
Prime Minister Carney:
3. Learn more about the Alberta Prosperity Project, the grassroots organization promoting separatism:
4. Learn more about the United States' interest in Alberta separatism:
5. Learn about the process necessary for Alberta to separate from Canada:
An Expanding War In The Middle East
Questions for online exploration (p. 22)
1. Learn more about why the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran:
2. Learn why this war escalated from diplomatic talks to attacks:
3. Learn about how the war spread so quickly in the region:
4. Learn more about Iran’s proxies in the Middle East and how they may figure in this conflict:
5. Explore how this conflict is impacting the world’s oil supply:
6. Learn more about the Iran nuclear deal of 2015:
7. Learn how the 1979 hostage crisis impacted Iran-U.S. relations:
8. Learn how the 'Canadian Caper' facilitated the escape of six American diplomats from Iran in 1979:
Graph (p. 23)
Complete the table to show oil reserves and the amount of oil produced daily by the top regional oil-producing countries. Use the following links to help:
- https://www.worldometers.info/oil/oil-reserves-by-country/#google_vignette
- https://www.worldometers.info/oil/oil-production-by-country/
Backgrounder: Iran
Questions for online exploration (p. 37)
1. Learn more about the history, geography, and culture of Iran:
2. Explore statistical data about the country of Iran and its population:
3. Learn more about Iran's political system:
4. Learn more about Iran’s proxies in the Middle East and how they figure in conflicts across the Middle East:
5. Compare Iran's oil reserves with the rest of the world:
- https://www.worldometers.info/oil/oil-reserves-by-country/
- https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/oil-proved-reserves
6. Learn more about the events behind the conflict between Iran and the United States:
Backgrounder: Israel
Questions for online exploration (p. 40)
1. Learn more about the history of Palestine and Israel and the creation of the Jewish state:
2. Learn more about Israel’s geography and its relative location to its neighbours:
3. Explore statistical data about the country of Israel and its population:
4. Learn more about why Israel is one of the most developed countries in the region and the #3 tech-leader in the world:
5. Explore five key facts about the close alliance between Israel and the United States:
A World Fueled By Oil
Before Reading (p. 41)
Show the class either or both of the following links so that they can add to their list.
- https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=nJT3Ai0Awh0 [2:57]
- https://oilfieldteam.com/en/a/learning/made-with-oil
Questions for online exploration (p. 46)
1. Watch this animation of the modern history of oil across the world:
2. Learn about how oil and gas are formed and how drilling companies use seismic surveys to determine where to drill:
- https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=8YHsxXEVB1M [3:04]
- https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=gHrWH81aJ8E [0:47]
3. Learn more about different techniques used to extract oil:
Drilling on land:
Fracking:
- https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=Tudal_4x4F0 [6:03] (Fr)
- https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=RYc-SSSqBoI [4:05]
Oil sands:
Offshore drilling:
4. Learn how crude oil is formed, transported, and refined:
Formed:
Refined:
- https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=JCJ04-kKL0U [3:44]
- https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=MVFzSDxE0aI [9:01]
Transported:
5. Find out where most of the world's oil reserves are located:
- https://www.worldometers.info/oil/oil-reserves-by-country/
- https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/oil-proved-reserves
6. Learn more about the importance of the Strait of Hormuz to global oil transport:
- https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=7dVRH9YgtWA [2:44]
- https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=FjV9AWrtL6M [5:50]
Resource Page for Students
Inquiry Project (p. 49)
Check out these short videos to learn how to check the credibility and reliability of websites:
How to evaluate sources for reliability:
- https://youtu.be/q1k8rcYUmbQ [3:48]
How to check if a website is credible:
- https://youtu.be/jt-IZ5M6XU8 [1:39]
Helpful Teacher Resources on Inquiry-based Learning (p. 53)
Check out Trevor MacKenzie’s website with links to podcasts, blogs, social media links, and other resources on Inquiry‑based learning:
His book, Dive into Inquiry: Amplify Learning and Empower Student Voice, offers a scaffolded approach to student inquiry: structured, controlled, guided, and free inquiry. It is a practical resource if inquiry-based learning is new to you.
John Spenser is another educator whose videos, blogs, and resources offer practical strategies and structures for engaging students in inquiry. Here are two to get you started:
“Helping Students Ask Better Questions by Creating a Culture of Inquiry”
“Using a Wonder Week to Spark Inquiry-based Learning”
Edutopia has a number of articles on student inquiry, including:
“What the heck is Inquiry-based Learning?”
“Resources and Downloads to Facilitate Inquiry-based Learning”