Seed Keepers - Native American Agriculture

OVERVIEW:

This FutureFit lesson is designed to supplement a standard 12-15 unit lesson for 3rd-6th grade Social Studies by offering a unique project that ties together the core academic concepts with a set of FutureFit social-emotional and 21st Century Skills.

STUDENT/GROUP OUTPUT:

Students will:

• Engage in a simulation comparing nomadic living to agricultural communities
• Investigate the use of companion plantings by studying the “Three Sisters” garden
• Create traditional Native American seed pot using the coiling method
• Preserve heirloom seeds for future use and stewardship.

SUGGESTED SUBJECT PREREQUISITES:

It is suggested that students should have familiarity with the following subject material as background for this lesson:

• A basic understanding of Native American history and heritage
• A basic understanding nomadic vs. agricultural communities

SEQUENCE AND PACING

This project-based lesson includes enough material for use in five 45-minutes periods of instruction. If a more focused lesson is appropriate, select the 3-day Short Lesson. The Concept Check version provides activities which reinforce the core math concepts.

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES (suggested):

• Internet access

STANDARDS ALIGNMENT

These activities support the following NCSS curriculum standards:

• D2.Geo.4.3-5. Explain how culture influences the way people modify and adapt to their environments
• D2.Geo.5.3-5. Explain how the cultural and environmental characteristics of places change over time
• D2.Geo.6.3-5. Describe how environmental and cultural characteristics influence population distribution in specific places or regions
• D2.Geo.7.3-5. Explain how cultural and environmental characteristics affect the distribution and movement of people, goods, and ideas
• D2.Geo.8.3-5. Explain how human settlements and movements relate to the locations and use of various natural resources