1. Image From: http://midnightcafe. files. wordpress
Friday, March 12, 2010

2. ‘Planet Earth’ at a Glance

3. What is ‘Planet Earth’?
“The series takes the viewer from the Earth's most remote mountaintops to the deepest oceans and includes everything in between. Camera crews spent over five years filming the series, which captures rare footage of several animals in their natural habitats, including stunning footage of snow leopards hunting on the treacherous slopes of the Himalayas” (Discovery Channel Planet Earth Series, 2009)

4. The ‘Plant Earth’ Series Focuses on ...
Great Plains
Jungles
Freshwater
Forests
Caves
Pole to Pole
Mountains
Deep Ocean
Deserts
Ice Worlds
Shallow Seas

5. Curriculum Link to ‘Planet Earth’
Grade 11, University Biology (SBI3U)
Strand B: Diversity of Living Things
Overall Expectations
B1. Analyse the effects of various human activities on the diversity of living things
B2. Investigate, through laboratory and/or field activities or through simulations, the principles of scientific classification, using appropriate sampling and classification techniques
B3. Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of living organisms in terms of the principles of taxonomy and phylogeny

6. Curriculum Link to ‘Planet Earth’
Grade 11, University Biology (SBI3U)
Strand C: Evolution
Overall Expectations
C2. Investigate evolutionary processes, and analyse scientific evidence that supports the theory of evolution
C3. Demonstrate an understanding of the theory of evolution, the evidence that supports it, and some of the mechanisms by which it occurs
Specific Expectation
C1.2. Evaluate the possible impact of an environmental change on natural selection and on the vulnerability of species

7. Curriculum Link to ‘Planet Earth’
Grade 11, College Biology (SBI3C)
Strand F: Plants in the Natural Environment
Overall Expectations
F1. Analyse the roles of plants in ecosystems, and assess the impact of human activities on the balance of plants within those ecosystems
F2. Investigate some of the factors that affect plant growth
F3. Demonstrate an understanding of the structure and physiology of plants and their role in the natural environment

8. Relevance to students ... Diversity of Living Things
Learn how human activities, for example deforestation & oil spills, affect the biodiversity, habitat & population of mammals
Look at how the effects of climate change, for example changing rainfall levels, impact the diversity of living things
Understand & explain the importance of biodiversity in relation to conserving viable ecosystems

9. Relevance to students ... Evolution
We, as humans, have evolved, therefore, learning how evolution has taken place & how we have evolved is important
When watching the ‘Planet Earth’ series, how have species of animals and plants evolved to adapt (and continue to evolve/adapt) to changing environments (i.e. Climate), and how have they evolved in terms of natural selection, habitat, food consumption (i.e. Evolved from a herbivore to an omnivore), & defence mechanisms

10. Relevance to students ... Plants
Gain an understanding of the physical structure of & physiology of plants & how these components may differ between species & regions
Learn what role/affect plants have for the survival of mammals

11. ‘ ‘Planet Earth’ Mission ... Part 1
It’s field trip time to the Canadian Museum of Nature to see ...
Special Exhibition
Green Legacy – a look at Canadian plants
Galleries currently on display:
Fossil Gallery
Canadian Mammals Gallery
Canadian Birds Gallery
** Students will complete a worksheet in which they will have to answer questions specific to the Special Exhibition and each of the galleries.

12. ‘Planet Earth’ Mission ... Part 2
In groups of 2-3, select one overarching theme from the ‘Planet Earth’ series
Select one specific topic from the overarching theme to research, looking at ecosystems, diversity, mammals & their survival mechanisms, & plants. Predict how your topic may/will be affected by climate change.
Research will be presented in the form of a podcast (with photos) or a video of 2-3 minutes in length

13. References
Canadian Museum of Nature. (2010). Retrieved March 9, 2010 from
Discovery Channel (2010). Planet Earth: TV Series. Retrieved March 8, 2010 from earth/planet-earth.html.
Discovery Channel Planet Earth Series (2009). Retrieved March 8, 2010 from
YouTube – BBC Planet Earth. Posted December 14, Retrieved March 8, 2010 from