Calgary Oil Industry (one-day lesson)

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Overview

In this lesson, students will analyze information and generate answers in response to a central inquiry question: How has the discovery of oil affected Calgary? For homework, students will write 2-3 paragraphs that synthesize the information learned in the lesson.

Learning Goals:

  • Students will learn about the history of the oil industry in Calgary and its effect on Calgary's economy.
  • Students will read and analyze charts with demographic information.
  • Students will learn about the environmental effects of oil extraction.

DAY ONE

Website Materials:

Step 1: 10 minutes: Introduction

a) Ask students to free-write in response to the following two questions:

  • Why is oil such a profitable industry?
  • How might the discovery of oil have affected the city of Calgary, Alberta?

b) Discuss student responses.

Step 2: 30 minutes: Read documents

a) Arrange students in groups of 3 and give each group a packet with the following worksheets:

  • “Oil”
  • “1980’s Bust”
  • “Income/Education/Ethnicity”
  • “Employment”
  • “Oil Extraction”

b) As a group:

  • Each of the 3 members should first read and answer the questions to the written documents.
  • Then, as a group, they should examine and answer questions on the charts (i.e., “Income/Education/Ethnicity” and “Employment”)
  • Then, they should share their answers to all of the worksheets.
  • As a group, they should generate 5 ways that oil has affected the city of Calgary, Alberta, supporting their answers with evidence.

Step 3: 10 minutes: Discussion

Share student answers. Generate a list of ways that the discovery of oil has affected Calgary. Have students record the list in their notebooks with evidence from the documents.

Homework

Using the evidence from the documents, write 2-3 paragraphs arguing whether the discovery of oil has been a positive or a negative development for Calgary, Alberta.

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

In order for this homework assignment to meet standards, a student must fulfill the following criteria:

  • Argue clearly why oil has or has not been a positive development for Calgary. (Students may opt for a middle position).
  • Use evidence about Calgary's economic history or demographic make-up to support argument. (May also include information about environmental factors).
  • Write persuasively and clearly.

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