• This podcast details why preserving peatland is tricky, due in large part to the fact that keeping peatland healthy can be more expensive than digging it up and developing the land.
• Students will learn what peatlands are, where they're located, what happens when they dry out, how they're connected to climate change, what governments are doing to protect them, and some of the roadblocks that are stopping peatland preservation. 

Positives

• This podcast is thorough and includes multiple perspectives that will enhance student understanding. 
• The narrator is clear and concise. 

Additional Prerequisites

• Students should have an understanding of ecosystems, the carbon cycle, and conservation. 
  

Differentiation

• Cross-curricular connections can be made in social studies classes discussing international politics and economics, or in language arts classes working with nonfiction sources or debate units. 
• This resource lends itself well to a Socratic Circle activity. 
  • Break students into two groups called the inner and outer circles. Have the inner circle sit in a circle facing out, and then have the outer circle sit around the inner circle facing in. 
  • The inner circle begins by analyzing the resource through questioning themselves and gathering answers. Once they have concluded their conversation, the outer circle provides feedback and additional understanding. 
  • The previous step is repeated until the circles come to a cohesive understanding of the resource.
• As an extension, have students research what government programs could be available to assist in peatland preservation. 

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.