Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
generationOn
First Conservationists (The)
Lesson 3:
From Unit Real Heroes
Purpose:
Students will learn some ways Native Americans valued the Earth.
Duration:
2-4 class periods
Objectives:
The learner will:
- through class discussion, identify at least two steps taken by Native Americans to protect the Earth.
- list three ways they take care of the Earth.
Materials:
- Any social studies text that includes information about Chief Seattle.
- Historical fiction or non-fiction book or story about Chief Seattle. (Brother Eagle, Sister Sky, by Susan Jeffers). See Bibliographical References.
- http://www.synaptic.bc.ca/ejournal/wslibrry.htm
- http://www.spokaneoutdoors.com/chfseatl.htm
- Social Studies text or biography about John Muir - (one of the first conservationists).
Teacher Preparation:
Note: This lesson depends on a picture book that uses text attributed to Chief Seattle. In truth, there is not an accurate version of that famous speech from 1854. The closest version was published in 1887 (33 years after the speech), written by Henry Smith who translated a poetic version from notes he took of the speech. It is believed that Mr. Smith captured the meaning of the speech but not the actual words. (The speech was not in English.) You may wish to raise students’ awareness of legends and let them know that the translation has been altered over the years for different purposes. In addition, Chief Seattle was from the Northwest, not the Plains, as portrayed in the Jeffers illustrations. Although these were not his actual words, the powerful message of our relationship to the earth is still important for us to consider.
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Overhead of Oren Lyons quote (see Attachment One). Draw on the chalkboard an outline of North America to show students why Native Americans called it "Turtle Island."
- Tell students that Native Americans believe they have a responsibility to take care of this place they call "Turtle Island." They also believe they have the responsibility to take care of each other. This includes the animals, the insects, birds, fish, and all the living things. Native American traditions include a concern for future generations.
- Introduce vocabulary:
generation(s):a group of individuals born and living at the same time; the average span of time between the birth of parents and that of their offspring.
befall:to happen to
interdependence:dependent on each other or one another
philosophy:general beliefs, ideas, and attitudes of an individual or group
- Show on overhead as you read aloud (see Attachment One):
"In our way of life, in our government, with every decision we make, we always keep in mind the Seventh Generation to come. It's our job to see that the people coming ahead, the generations still unborn, have a world no worse than ours and hopefully better. When we walk upon Mother Earth we always plant our feet carefully because we know the faces of our future generations are looking up at us from beneath the ground."
Lyons, Oren. Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan of the Onondaga Nation and spokesman for the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy.- Additional Background Information: Chief Seattle, 1790-1866, was a respected leader of the Northwest Indian Nations. In 1850, the government in Washington, D.C. wanted to buy all the lands of Chief Seattle's people, who had been defeated in wars with the white man, and who were tired, hungry, and without hope. Chief Seattle addressed the government in his native tongue.
- Read aloud Brother Eagle, Sister Sky (see Bibliographical References).
- Points for class discussion:
- In the story, voices speak. Who are these voices and what did each say?
- Summarize Chief Seattle's message: "You must give to the rivers the kindness you would give to any brother."
- Explain: "The earth does not belong to us…we belong to the earth."
- Show on overhead as you read aloud (see Attachment One):
Questions (see Attachment Two):
- Q.
Who is the 'Seventh Generation'?
A.The generations still to come. Those that will be born many years from now. - Q.
Explain the following statement, "What befalls the earth befalls all the sons and daughters of the earth."
A.If we destroy the trees and animals, generally pollute the Earth and do not take care to use our natural resources wisely, we will ultimately be destroying man, who is dependent upon the Earth and its resources. - Q.
In what ways do we protect our world?
A.Recycle, reuse, plant trees, conserve water and energy, etc. - Q.
What must be done for future generations?
A.Continue to recycle, learn new ways to conserve energy, plant, etc. - Q.
What could we do to teach our community to take care of the world for the "Seventh Generation"?
A.Read social studies text about John Muir, then discuss the importance of conservation. - Q.
Activities:
- Create a "Family" Earth Day Quilt (See attached instructions in Attachment Three).
- Create a class book showing how we take care of the Earth, then read it to first and second graders.
- Create bookmarks with environmental slogans or messages to be used in a media center or donated to local libraries, nursing homes, etc.
- Using Native American terms (symbols), students write a message on strips of brown bulletin board paper (crinkled) to all people as if they were Chief Seattle.
Assessment:
- Answers to questions reflect an understanding of Chief Seattle's message
- Students' drawings or writing show examples of protecting the Earth and its resources for future generations.
Evaluation:
| Points Possible | Points Earned | |
| 1. Answers include restated questions. | 20 | |
| 2. Answers are complete and correct. | 20 | |
| 3. Each sentence begins with a capital letter and includes correct ending punctuation. | 20 | |
| 4. Correct spelling-priority words and "use words." | 20 | |
| 5. Project: One page of class book (creativity, use of color, words to explain illustration) Bookmark-creativity, use of color, meaningful message. |
20 |
Cross-Curriculum Extensions:
See Journal Questions (Attachment Two) for possible lesson extension.
Bibliographical References:
Jeffers, Susan (Illustrator). Brother Eagle, Sister Sky: A Message from Chief Seattle. Dial Books for Young Readers, 1991. ISBN: 0803709692.
Lesson Developed By:
Lynn SeeberForest Hills Public School
Orchard View Elementary School
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Oren Lyons Quote
decision we make, we always keep in mind the
Seventh Generation to come. It’s our job to
see that the people coming ahead, the
generations still unborn, have a world no worse
than ours and hopefully better. When we
walk upon Mother Earth we always plant
our feet carefully because we know the
faces of our future generations are
looking up at us from beneath the ground.”
-Oren Lyons
Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan of the Onondoga Nation
and spokesman for the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy
Handout 2Print Handout 2
Journal Questions
- Who is the “Seventh Generation”?
- What did Chief Seattle mean when he said, “What befalls the earth befalls all the sons and daughters of the earth.”
- List at least three ways in which we can protect our world.
- What do we need to do for future generations?
- Write one thing you could do to teach your community to take care of the world for the “Seventh Generation.”
Handout 3Print Handout 3
Family Earth Day Quilt
Hurt no living thing;
Ladybird, nor butterfly,
Nor moth with dusty wing.
Nor cricket chirping cheerily,
Nor grasshopper so light of leap,
Nor dancing gnat, nor beetle fat,
Nor harmless worms that creep.
By Christina G. Rossetti
Dear Parents,
Our class will celebrate Earth Day again this year as part of our science and social studies curricula. While we learn and discuss information about our environment, we will also make a family “Earth Day” quilt. Each family is asked to contribute one or two blocks to the quilt, or each member of your family may design one block. The blocks will represent your family’s efforts to keep our earth beautiful.
Here are some ideas!
- write a poem
- draw a picture showing your family taking care of the earth
- by such things as recycling, saving water, helping to clean up, etc.
- draw a picture of the earth
- create a motto
- write a song
- draw a scene showing something in nature (wetlands, a beautiful lake, a forest, tree, butterfly, or animal)
Hints:
- Use lots of bright, bold color.
- Print any writing in bold, black marker, if possible.
- Put your family name on the bottom of your block,
½-inch up from the bottom edge of the square (bold and dark)
Make this a special time together with your family.
HAVE FUN! PLEASE SEND BLOCKS TO SCHOOL BY:
Handout 4Print Handout 4
Cita de Oren Lyons
“En nuestra manera de vivir, en nuestro gobierno, en cada decisión que tomamos, siempre mantenemos en mente a la futura Generación Siete. Nuestro trabajo es procurar que los que vengan después, las generaciones que aún no han nacido, tengan un mundo no peor que el nuestro y es de esperar que sea mejor. Cuando caminamos sobre la Madre Tierra, siempre plantamos los pies cuidadosamente porque sabemos que las caras de las generaciones futuras nos miran desde abajo”.
-Oren Lyons
Sabio del Clan de La Tortuga de la Nación Onondoga y
Sabio del Clan de La Tortuga de la Nación Onondoga y
Portavoz de la Confederación de las Seis Naciones Iroquois
Unit Contents:
Overview:Real Heroes Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- My Community—My World
- 2.
- Traditions of Tribal Sharing
- 3.
- First Conservationists (The)
- 4.
- Heroes and Celebrities
- 5.
- Early Settlers of a Community
- 6.
- Hiawatha, the Great Peacemaker
- 7.
- Everyone Can Be a Real Hero
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Message
Comments
(The positive aspects of using this lesson were) The great book and strong message. Different way to think about recycling/caring for Earth. Wonderful quilt project and bookmarks. They did an outstanding job.
(The positive aspects of using this lesson were) the importance of treating people and the Earth with care and respect. The differences in the types of leaders - President vs. Chief.
(The positive aspect of using this lesson was it) reinforced my theory, "We are family." The activities were great.