Native Plants

DESCRIPTORS

Curriculum Areas: Science

Recommended Levels: 2-3rd

Time Frame: 30-45 minutes

Tribal Affiliation: Navajo

Geographic Location: Dilcon (Southwest)

Developed by: Martha Lee

Email addresses of developers: redhorse86047@yahoo.com

Date lesson was developed: July 28, 2001

American Indian Standards:

Science: Life Science Standard C1

INSTRUCTION

Goal: To promote cultural/language understanding and Native language vocabulary by naming Native plants.

Behavioral Objectives: Students will:

• Take nature walk to take pictures of plants
• List plants in Navajo

Prior Knowledge Needed:

• Use digital camera
• Write Navajo language

Materials and Resources Needed:

• Digital camera

Culture Content and Strategies:

• Elder from the community who knows plant names and uses.

Lesson Summary and Performance Tasks:

In this lesson the students will learn about the different kinds of plants around Dilcon (Southwest) area. They will take a nature walk and take pictures of the plants. An elder from the community will help identify the plants and tell students the names of the plants in Navajo. The students will list the plants in Navajo and tell how they’re used in the Native way (ie. Medicine, cooking, basket making, etc.). They will create a short historical piece on the plants with their family members. The students will work cooperatively in small groups, making their books.

Assessment:

• Evaluate students as they name and write 3-5 plants in Navajo.
• Evaluate students through informal teacher notes on their projects as they work in the classroom

EXTENSION

Technology Integration:

Insert pictures from the digital camera to make a book.

Enrichment/Remediation:

• Written plant names in Navajo.
• Cooperative learning.