Lesson Plan: Softwood Lumber and Society

Lesson Plan

Before Exploring

In small groups, have students select one item they all have in their homes. Groups will brainstorm the path the item takes from raw materials to consumer product. Groups will outline the steps it takes to create and sell the item, and then share their results with the class.

Outline the Opportunity

Working in pairs, students will browse the topic At Loggerheads: The Canada-U.S. Softwood Lumber Dispute on the CBC Digital Archives website. They should view the clips titled "A mill town struggles to survive", "Run for the border", "A tale of two mills", "A mill owner's radical plan", "Quebec mill closes its doors", "Feds announce bailout for laid-off lumber workers, communities", and "Death of a lumber town".  As they browse, they should take notes about harvesting, processing, and selling softwood lumber products.

Provide groups with a variety of magazines and newspapers. Students will search for pictures illustrating the processes involved in the softwood lumber industry, and then create a collage to show how the lumber industry impacts North American society.

Revisit and Reflect

Have each group share its collage with the class. Students should be prepared to explain and discuss their views on the impact and importance of the softwood lumber industry.

Extension

Students can write a paragraph outlining the importance of the softwood lumber industry in their lives and share it with the class.

Material

magazines and newspapers

poster paper

glue

scissors