Solving Equations and Systems · Term 2

Equations with Rational Coefficients

Solving linear equations with rational number coefficients, including those whose solutions require expanding expressions.

About This Topic

Glaciers and Climate examines the massive bodies of ice that have shaped Canada's landscape and continue to influence global climate. Students learn about the formation of glaciers and the geological features they leave behind, such as moraines and drumlins. This topic is essential for understanding Canada's physical geography and the long-term changes in Earth's climate history.

Students also investigate the role of glaciers as indicators of climate change. As glaciers melt, they affect ocean levels and salinity, which in turn impacts global weather patterns. This topic particularly benefits from hands-on, student-centered approaches where students simulate glacial movement and its erosive power on the land.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: Glacial 'Flubber' Movement

Groups use a non-Newtonian fluid (like 'flubber') to represent a glacier. They place it on a sloped tray with sand and rocks to observe how it flows and carries debris over time.

⏱ 50 min·Small Groups

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Gallery Walk: Ice Core Records

Students examine 'mock' ice cores (made of frozen layers with trapped 'bubbles' and 'dust'). They use these to reconstruct a timeline of past volcanic eruptions and temperature changes.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

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Think-Pair-Share: The Albedo Effect

Students discuss how white ice reflects sunlight compared to dark ocean water. They predict what happens to global temperatures as ice melts and more dark water is exposed.

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Students often think glaciers are just static blocks of ice.

What to Teach Instead

Teachers should emphasize that glaciers are 'rivers of ice' that flow under their own weight. Using time-lapse videos or physical simulations of flow helps students understand their dynamic nature.

Common Misconception

Many believe that melting icebergs are the main cause of sea-level rise.

What to Teach Instead

It is important to distinguish between sea ice (which is already in the water) and land-based glaciers and ice sheets. A hands-on experiment with ice on a 'continent' versus ice in the 'ocean' clarifies this difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did glaciers shape the Ontario landscape?

During the last ice age, massive glaciers carved out the Great Lakes and left behind fertile soil and unique landforms like the Oak Ridges Moraine. Most of Ontario's current geography is a result of glacial activity.

What is an ice core and why is it important?

An ice core is a cylinder of ice drilled from a glacier. It contains trapped air bubbles from thousands of years ago, providing a record of past greenhouse gases and temperatures.

How can active learning help students understand glaciers?

Active learning allows students to model the slow, powerful movement of ice that is otherwise impossible to see in real-time. By creating 'glacial flubber' or analyzing mock ice cores, students become detectives of the past. These student-centered activities make the link between ice, landforms, and climate change much more concrete and engaging.

How does melting glacial ice affect the oceans?

Melting glaciers add fresh water to the salty ocean, which can change ocean currents. It also contributes to sea-level rise, threatening coastal communities around the world.

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