Lesson 1#
Introduction to Plant Uses
SUBJECT: Language Arts and Science
TOPIC: Brainstorming different uses for plants
TIME FRAME: 1 class
COMMON ESSENTIAL LEARNINGS: Communication, Independent Learning,
Personal and Social Values.
MATERIALS: Various pictures of plants and various books
about plants.
1. OBJECTIVES:
Saskatchewan Language Arts
Objectives
Saskatchewan
Science Objectives
Cognitive: Students will...
- find and record information related to plants used for food-related
purposes.
- brainstorm ideas about what plants are used for food.
Affective/Spiritual: Students will...
- become aware of how First Nation people utilized plants.
Physical: Students will...
-
participate large and small group discussions.
2. RESOURCES:
a) http://collections.ic.gc.ca/hazeltons/foodf.htm
This website contains information about plants used for food-related
purposes.
b) http://collections.ic.gc.ca/hazeltons/medicf.htm
This website contains information about plants used for medicinal
purposes.
c) http://collections.ic.gc.ca/hazeltons/techf.htm
This website contains information about plants used for technical
purposes.
3. PURPOSE/TEACHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Gitxsan are part of the Tsimshian
language family and the Wet'suwet'en are part of the Carrier language family. Living
in the northwest on the Skeena and Bulkley Rivers. These goegraphical locations
provide the Gitxsan and Wet'suwet'en with an abundance of food: salmon, trout, wild
game such as grouse, rabbit, deer and moose, as well as a multitude of wild plants, herbs
and berries.
In this web site, we look at the various ways the Gitxsan and
Wet'suwet'en traditionally and continually use the wide assortment of plants available
here in their region.
This web site offers only a small glimpse into the lives, past and
present, of our native peoples. There are interesting facts and photos contained within
and we encourage further study into this fascinating culture.
(From Traditional
Plant Use in the Hazeltons website,SchoolNet DigitalCollection
Program,Industry Canada,1998)
According to the Traditional Plant Uses of the Hazeltons site, there are three
different uses of plants:
a) food-related purposes: The following are examples of
plants that were eaten or used for some
other food-related purposes by the Gitxsan and Wet'suwet'en peoples.
*Fireweed - the syrupy "marrow" was eaten
*Cow-parsnip - eaten raw as a green vegetable
*Highbush cranberry - the berries were consumed
b) technical purposes:
*Stinging nettle - an important source of fiber for
fishing nets
*Thimbleberry - used as lining for baskets or to dry
berries on
*Common Green Peatmoss - used as lining for diapers
c) medicinal purposes:
*Beaked hazelnut - nut's milk was used to cure coughs
and colds
*Common juniper - used as a fumigant, deodorizer, and
cleaner
*Red-osier dogwood - a pain killer was make of the
inner bark
4. ACTIVITIES/IDEAS:
Brainstorming
Have pictures and books about plants displayed. Explain to students that they
will begin a unit on plant uses - Traditional and Contemporary. Discuss what the
terms traditional and contemporary mean. Brainstorm with students some uses of
plants - guide students to make three categories (food-related, technical and medicinal).
After brainstorming is finished explain to students that there are three categories
that plants fit under.
Researching the Internet
Divide students into small groups and have them search the net to find
out information about plant uses. Provide internet addresses. Students can
locate, browse and read for information.
KWL Chart (What I Know, What I Want to know, and What I Learned...)
This activity could be used to begin and end the unit. Hand out
the outlines for the KWL Charts. At the top of the chart PLANT USES is
written. Give students 5-10 minutes to respond to the question "What I
already know about Plant Uses.". Then have students respond to the second
question "What I want to know about Plant Uses.". Bring class
together to share their responses and continue brainstorming. Explain to students
that when the unit is finished they will respond to the last question "What I
learned about Plant Uses."
5. EVALUATION:
