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Interpret information presented in an excerpt and two videos to explain relationships among humans, plants, and other living things.
Explain the relationship between humans and living things and acknowledge multiple perspectives using connectors such as because, which leads to, as a result, and therefore.
What does it mean to live responsibly within natural systems?
How do different disciplines and traditions, including scientific inquiry and cultural knowledge, help us understand our relationship to the natural world?
Excerpt from Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and The Teachings of Plants
“In Native ways of knowing, human people are often referred to as ‘the younger brothers [and sisters] of Creation.’ We say that humans have the least experience with how to live and thus the most to learn—we must look to our teachers among the other species for guidance. Their wisdom is apparent in the way that they live. They teach us by example.”
Directions: Reread the quote, and write your answers to the following questions.
What relationships between species does this quote describe?
According to this quote, what is the role of humans in understanding nature?
How does Kimmerer explain the way different species relate to each other?
Directions: Write in these column headings: Video Source, Human–Sweetgrass Relationship, and Expectations of Harvester. As you watch the video, jot down notes about each topic in the appropriate column of your graphic organizer.
What did you learn about the relationship between humans and sweetgrass in this video?
What does this teaching ask of the person who harvests or uses sweetgrass?
Why do you think the producers made this video? Is their motive social, commercial, political, or a combination of these?
Directions: Jot down notes on these questions as you watch the interview with Robin Wall Kimmerer.
What does Kimmerer say science helps us understand, and what does she say it can miss?
What does she say honoring reciprocity with nature requires of humans?
Where do you witness science and an Indigenous worldview working together in Kimmerer’s claims?
Why do you think the producers made this video? Is their motive social, commercial, political, or a combination of these?
Reflection |
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Reflect on your understanding of the knowledge provided by science and Indigenous worldviews using the Reflection routine.
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Directions: Use your three-column chart from today’s lesson to complete both parts of the Quick Write. Write three or four sentences total, and use at least two specific details from the videos in your responses.
Part 1: Scientific and Indigenous ways of knowing both help us understand nature by ____.
Part 2: One way that human beings can give back to nature is ____.