Growing Stewards with Ancient Wisdom and Modern Tech

Joseph Parrett

This is a kindergarten unit that will address Next Generation Science Standards related to the crosscutting concept of patterns in the natural world. It will also address Common Core State Standards in the area of English Language Arts in the areas of reading informational texts, writing, and speaking and listening. The class will be using technology to examine, identify, and catalogue local flora and fauna. Students will be challenged to step into the role of a steward or caretaker of nature by considering the wisdom of Indigenous people as it relates to the relationship between the human and natural worlds. Throughout the unit students will be challenge to think critically. They will also be guided through the scientific process. Although this unit is written with kindergarten in mind it could be applied to other primary grade level classes.