Minds On

Features of a community

This is a decorative image and does not require alt text

Take a moment and think about the community where you live.

What are some of the features in your community?
Are you in or near a big city? A small town? Farmland?
What natural features are in or close to your community? Are there rivers? Forests?
What is one thing that makes your community unique?

Let's explore the following communities and their descriptions:

There is lots of land and space between homes. There is one major street with trees and large field spaces between homes and farmland

Rural Community

This is a rural community. This means that there are not a lot of people living in this community and there is land and space between homes. In this image there is a major street with trees and large field spaces between homes and farmland.

There is a street with homes side by side and some green space between the homes.

Suburban Neighbourhood

This is a suburban neighbourhood. This means that there are a lot of people living in this community and there is some land and space between homes. In this image, there is a street with homes side by side and some green space.

There are a lot of buildings such has work offices, apartments, and condos all close together. There are also a few homes with trees in the surrounding area all which don't have a lot of space between them.

Urban Community

This is an urban community. This means that there are a lot of people living in this community, even more than in suburban communities. There is not a lot of land and space between homes. Homes in these communities are often more shared spaces like apartments.

Choose the image and description that is the most similar to your community.

What makes it similar?
What is not the same between your community and the one you chose?

Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.

Acknowledgements(Opens in a new window)

Action

Natural resources

People need to interact with nature in order to survive. We need and use many of the natural resources found here in Ontario.

What are natural resources?

Press ‘Natural Resources’ to reveal the definition of natural resources.

Natural Resources

Something found in nature that people find useful or valuable.

Can you think of any other natural resources that are found here in Ontario? If possible, brainstorm some other natural resources with a partner.

Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.

Press ‘Answer’ to access the natural resources found in Ontario.

Answer

Natural resources found in Ontario are:

water
air
sun
forests
fish and wildlife
minerals
conservation area

Press ‘Natural Resources’ to reveal more about some of the natural resources found in Ontario.

Natural Resources

There is s small surface of sand with a large log facing Lake Ontario. There are some trees in the background.

Water

This is Lake Ontario. There are lakes, streams, rivers, creeks, and marshland found all over Ontario. This is Lake Ontario. Water is a very important natural resource! We need water to drink, travel, play, and support farming.

Air

Air, in the form of wind, is an important natural resource all over Ontario. We can use wind to make electricity.

Sun

The sun is an important natural resource. All living things need the sun. The sun provides heat and light which can be used for energy.

Tall long trees with the sun shining through.

Forests

Forests are an important natural resource. The trees are home to different kinds of wildlife and provide oxygen and heat. The plants in the forest can provide medicine, food, oxygen, and homes for wildlife. Wood from the trees can be used to create structures (i.e. homes, buildings).

Fish and Wildlife

Fish and wildlife are important natural resources. Both help to create a healthy ecosystem. Fish and wildlife can be used as food for humans and other animals. They also help provide jobs for people in areas like conservation.

There are six mineral rocks varying in shape and size.

Minerals

Minerals are materials that are found inside the earth or on the earth that we can use. There are many minerals found in Ontario. Minerals can be used to build everyday items and create energy sources like batteries for electric cars.

A large flat field area with a wooden fence to keep trespassers out. There are large clouds in the sky in the background.

Conservation areas

Conservation areas are an important resource because they can be a place to grow plants and trees and provide a home for wildlife and people.

Brainstorm

Let's Think

Choose one of the following questions to answer:

Why might people want to live close to water?
Why might people want to live close to a forest?
Why might people want to live close to conservation areas?

Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.

If possible, discuss your answer with a partner.

Task 1: Communities in Ontario

There are three types of communities in Ontario:

Suburban communities
Urban communities
Rural communities

Let’s investigate each one!

What do you think each type of community might be like?

Press ‘Hint’ to reveal a hint about types of communities.

Hint

What type of community might include farmland ? What type of community might include apartment buildings?

Record your ideas in this activity and, if possible, discuss your ideas with a partner.

Complete the Communities Chart in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.

You can also use another method of your choice.

Communities Chart
Suburban
Urban
Rural

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Communities Chart.

Activity

Task 2: Communities and resources

Now that you had a chance to brainstorm what you think each community is like, explore the following picture of the three different types of communities:

This image shows a urban community, a surburban community, and a rural community.

What do you notice about the similarities and differences amongst the three different types of communities?

Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.

Press ‘Let’s check!’ to access the similarities and differences of the three different types of communities.

Let’s check!

The first part of the picture is an example of an “urban” community. It is filled with buildings and houses of all sizes. They are built close together and there is not a lot of land in between.

The middle picture is an example of a “suburban” community. The houses are spaced apart. In between, you may find fields and parks.

The last picture is an example of a “rural” community, where the houses are far apart from each other with a lot of unused land in between. It is you may find farms, forests and pastures.

Natural Resources

Let’s think about the natural resources we learned about at the beginning of the Action section.

Which community or communities might have been built around each type of natural resource? Why do you think this?

Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.

Forest
Water
Minerals
Conservation areas
Fish and wildlife
Sun
Air

Press each tab to find out which communities might have been built around each type of natural resource.

Any of the three communities could be built around forests. Forests provide a quiet space for people to walk and bike and enjoy nature. Rural and suburban communities may have more natural forests in the land between their homes, and urban communities may have more buildings and homes that are built to surround smaller forests.

Urban communities are often built around large bodies of water. Everyone requires water to drink. Suburban communities may be built around smaller lakes where people like to swim and fish. Rural communities may be built around bodies of water to support farming.

Mines are areas where minerals can be collected. Rural and suburban communities are often built close to mines because they provide jobs for the community.

Rural communities and small suburban communities may be built close to large conservation areas to support local farming.

Fish and wildlife are usually found in rural communities because there are many open, clean and safe areas where the animals can live. However, different kinds of wildlife can also live in urban and suburban areas. These may include raccoons, skunks, squirrels and pigeons.

These natural resources can be found everywhere in Ontario!

Consolidation

Review your learning

For each term select the corresponding definition.

Protecting natural resources

The natural resources found in the Ontario area are connected with the natural environment. Communities are built around these natural resources.

What are some ways that we can help to protect our natural resources that are found around our communities?

Create an “Idea Board” which is a space where you can record your ideas about how we can protect our natural resources. Be creative and organize your “Idea Board” in any way you wish. This could be in your notebook, on the computer, or another method of your choice!

Be sure to include the following:

Checklist

Each natural resource found in Ontario that has been mentioned in this learning activity. An idea of a way to protect each natural resource that can be done in a community. One example of each type of community in the Idea Board.

Example Idea Board:

A large writing board with two pictures of forests that reads:

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity?  Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel...

I have an excellent understanding of the concepts   I have a very good understanding of the concepts   I have some understanding but need to review some more  my understanding of the concepts needs a lot more work

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

Learning goals

Success criteria

Minds On

Features of a community

Action