Larsen+Lesson1


 * Stewardship and Sustainability **
 * By D. Larsen, Oct. 2012 **


 * LESSON FOCUS: How did the native people live a balanced life in concert with their environment? **

"Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary that makes clear the relationships among the key details and ideas."
 * COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS: RH 11.12.2 **


 * GOALS: **
 * A) Understand the concepts of sustainability and stewardship. **
 * B) Understand the ways that the American Indians practiced good stewardship. **
 * C) Analyze present day life and discover ways we are / are not lving in balance. **
 * D) Discuss the question, “Are we currently out of balance with the way we live in our society?” **


 * LESSON SEQUENCE: **


 * DAY 1 **
 * Concept Definition Maps **
 * Students construct own knowledge on the terms Sustainability and Stewardship **
 * Discuss **


 * DAY 2 **
 * Read passage on way of life of Naitves... Oneida agricultural season, **
 * How They Lived article, pages 33 - 37. **
 * Code article and list examples of how natives lived in balance **
 * Discuss the central idea of the text. **


 * DAY 3 **
 * Short passage or clip of present day life. This could be teacher presented. An alternative, depending on the group, would be to have the students look for examples in our present day culture / society of life out of balance. **
 * Discuss if we live in balance? **


 * Day 4 /5 Koyaanaisqatsi. This word is a Hopi Indian word that translates to 'life out of balance'. The word is the only word that is heard during the course of the 86 minute film. And when it is heard, the word is chanted in a very deep, male voice. The film also features the music of Philip Glass. If you are familiar with his music, it is very repetitive and somewhat hypnotizing at times. **


 * Film info **** [|Watch for free here] **


 * The film is long and it would be too much for the average junior high student to grasp. I would suggest showing the last half to third of the film. This would allow for the meaning, in regard to the lesson, to come through. One could always suggest students view the film as part of a flipped classroom. **


 * As the students watch, they should record their comments, questions, and connections. Alternatively, those needing more structure could create a 'See, Think, Wonder' Chart. What do they see? What do they think about what they see? What are they wondering about? **


 * Day 6 Discuss **
 * Their thoughts. **
 * Things to bring out: **
 * What was the director's purpose? **


 * Exit or assigned writing: Given the advancement and technological nature of our current society, is it possible for us to live in a sustainable way? **