Lesson 2: Nature/Science

Objectives:

To introduce the importance of nature to Native Americans. To discover the growth stages of Northern beans and mustard seeds.

Materials:

Procedure:

  1. Have children think of something that is important to them and how they would feel if it was taken away.
  2. Explain that Indians had to give up their land to settlers and why the land was so important to them. This book is a retelling about what Chief Seattle said to the U.S. government.
  3. Read Brother Eagle, Sister Sky. Why does he say the flowers are their sisters and the animals are their brothers?
  4. Discuss the web of life and how one part can disrupt the entire cycle.
  5. Discuss why nature is important to Native Americans. They lived off the land and it provided them with life so it was sacred.
  6. Discuss why nature is important to us.
  7. Why was Chief Seattle concerned about giving us their land? Refer back to page with trees cut down.
  8. What can we do to protect the environment?
  9. Explain that we are going to plant seeds and keep journals on their growth.
  10. Make predictions: What do you think the mustard seed plant will look like? What will the Northern bean plant look like? What will happen to the seed when it first starts growing? What do you think happens to the seed coat? Which seed do you think will grow faster? Which seed do you think will have more leaves? Why do we add water to the paper towel?
  11. Demonstrate how to plant a seed. Put seed in the bottom of the cup. Crinkle a paper towel and put it on top of the seed. Add just enough water to the paper towel to make it moist.
  12. Students will write predictions in their journal until it is their turn to plant seeds. Each student plants their own seed.
  13. Students will observe their seed weekly and record their observation in their journal. They will write what they see and draw a picture.
  14. After a few weeks when the seeds have grown, the students will replant the seeds into soil.
  15. The students will read and see if any of their predictions came true. Discuss the stages of the seed including the growth of the stem, roots, and leaves.
  16. Count the number of leaves on the plants and graph their prediction and the actual amount.

Evaluation of student learning:

Through the discussion, I will observe if the children understand the importance of nature to Native Americans. After the journals are complete, I will note if the students described the stages of their seed's growth. Through the final discussion, I will observe if the students can state the stages of growth of the seeds.

Reflection:

The initial lesson went well except there were too many questions for the students to answer in their journal. I would ask the questions verbally to get the students thinking, but I would limit them to writing responses to in their journals. The students were very excited to grow plants and they did not think the seeds would grow without dirt. I would ask that as a question next time. The problem I had was not being at school enough to water the plants and the mustard seeds so they would grow quickly. I would probably plant the seeds on a Friday so the students could see the initial growth on Monday.

Return to the Native American Mini-Unit