6.1 LEAVE IT TO BEAVER
(Level: 4 : 6 : 7 : 10 acad : 10 appl : 11 acad : 11 appl : 12 acad  )

Purpose: To recognize the importance of the beaver to the development of Canada, and identify how the beaver is adapted for life in a wetland.

What You Need: pen :: paper :: research material

Historically, the beaver was responsible for the development of our country. A strong demand for beaver hats was the driving force behind the voyage west to search for beaver. Had this search not been made who knows where we would be today.

What You Do:

1. Learn more about the beaver by researching and creating a report. Students might wish to include the following:
   • a description of the beaver, including the many adaptations it has for life in a wetland
   • a coloured drawing, labelling the special physical adaptations
   • its economic importance to Canada
   • its habitat
   • the design of the lodge
   • its habits
   • its diet
   • its scientific name (and, if you can, what it means)
2. Carry on a class discussion about the way the beaver changes the world around it. Use the information in this unit for background but ask the students to draw upon their own ideas and experiences and the research they conducted.

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