Link(s) to the Manitoba Social Studies Curriculum:

• Mapping (major cities, landforms, bodies of water of a society)
• Urbanization
• Economics activities
• Food production and distribution

Brief Overview of the Lesson:

The students will make a map of the Seaway System and discuss its importance. They will read a variety of articles about the Great Lakes System and how it affects our economy. Then, they will meet in groups and brainstorm what they learned about the kinds of jobs that result from the cargo and people traffic on the Seaway. Each group will make a mind map depicting how the Seaway system provides employment and wealth to Canada. The groups will finish and present their maps next period.

Estimated Time Required for Implementation:

Two class periods

Materials Needed:

Computers, chart paper and markers

Suggested Implementation Strategy:

• Have the students make a map of the Great Lakes Seaway System.
• Tell them that 21% of the world’s fresh water is in the Great Lakes.
• Ask them why this is important.
• Explain to the class that the drinking water supply is not the only reason the Great Lakes are important. It is an important shipping lane.
• Ask what resources or products from Manitoba might be shipped through the Seaway.
• How does this affect our economy?
• Tell the class that they will be learning more about how the Great Lakes Seaway affects Canada’s economy.
• Organize the students in groups of 4-5.
• Post the following list of research websites on a smart board and assign two sites to each group to do their research.
• Tell the class that they are to read about the Great Lakes System and learn about the employment benefits it creates in our economy. Then they will report back to their groups and make a mind map depicting how the Great Lakes System provides jobs and wealth to Canada. This will be presented to the class next period.
  • http://www.greatcanadianlakes.com/gc_lakes/Canada/index.htm
  • http://www.manitobacooperator.ca/2014/02/03/post-office-could-take-a-lesson-from-the-seaway/
  • http://www.manitobacooperator.ca/2013/02/28/seaway-opening-on-an-upbeat-note/
  • http://shopping.nationalpost.com/SS/Page.aspx?sstarg=&facing=false&secid=134602&pagenum=8&artid=1996426
  • http://www.greatlakes-seaway.com/en/seaway/vital/index.html
  • http://www.ec.gc.ca/grandslacs-greatlakes/default.asp?lang=En&n=B4E65F6F-1
  • http://www.canadiansailings.ca/?p=3192
  • http://www.marinedelivers.com/press-releases/canadian-media/great-lakes-seaway-shipping-adds-16-billion-canadian-economy
  • http://www.marinedelivers.com/economic-impact-great-lakes-shipping
  • http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/pr/ourlakes/economy.html

Options for Consideration:

• It will require more time, but the teacher may want to let the students do their own web searches, instead of giving the groups the research websites.

Extended Learning Opportunities:

• Ask the students to research the environmental concerns created by the economic traffic on the Great Lakes System
• Ask the students to map the water systems in Manitoba.