4-ESS3-2

The Beauty of Fall, Martin's Ferry Bridge, Yurok Indian Reservation. © Louisa McCovey (Yurok, Hupa, Karuk)

Live in Balance with the Natural World - Take Only What You Need

HSS 4.1, HSS 4.2, HSS 4.2.1, HSS 4.5, HSS 4.5.5, 4-ESS3-1, 4-ESS3-2, RL.4.2, RL.4.3, RL.4.7, SL.4.2, SL.4.6, WL.CM1.N: Interpretive Communication, WL.CL2.N: Cultural Products, Practices, and Perspectives, WL.CL4.A: Intercultural Influences, WL.CN2.N: Diverse Perspectives and Distinctive Viewpoints

This lesson immerses students in the Yurok Tribe's rich cultural heritage and their deep-rooted connection to sustainable environmental practices. It explores the tribe’s traditional beliefs and practices related to natural resource management, focusing on the values of sustainability, community well-being, and ecological balance. Students will learn how the Yurok people prioritize responsible resource use, such as with salmon, Pacific lamprey, elk, and seaweed, ensuring these resources are available for future generations.

Cache Creek

Restoring Cache Creek and the Yurok Tribe

3-LS4-4, 4-ESS3-2, 5-ESS3-1, HSS 3.2, HSS 4.1, HSS 5.9

Students learn about the ecological and cultural restoration of Cache Creek. They study how the Yurok Tribe combines Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) with modern science to rehabilitate ecosystems. Students design their own restoration plans for a local waterway, integrating Indigenous knowledge and environmental problem-solving.

Saving Salmon CA Academy of Sciences video screenshot of salmon swimming

Saving Salmon and the Yurok Tribe

3-LS4-4, 4-ESS3-2, 5-ESS3-1, HSS 3.2, HSS 4.1, HSS 5.9

This lesson focuses on the cultural and ecological importance of salmon to the Yurok people. Students examine how environmental changes and human activities have affected salmon populations. Through multimedia and collaborative projects, students explore salmon life cycles, conservation strategies, and the Yurok Tribe’s role in restoration efforts.

Desert Superblooms

HSS 4.2.1, 4-ESS3-2, SL.4.1

Students study the science behind desert superblooms and their ecological roles. They explore how climate change could affect bloom frequency and biodiversity. The lesson includes a student research activity, concept mapping, and creative expression to demonstrate understanding and advocacy.

Dry yellow desert blooms CA Academy Sciences Cahuilla Unit

Ancestral Connections to the Desert

HSS 4.2.1, SL.4.1, 4-ESS3-2

Students explore how Indigenous peoples, particularly through the Native American Land Conservancy (NALC), preserve ancestral lands and cultural practices. They reflect on the intersection of cultural heritage and environmental conservation. A reflective writing activity deepens understanding of how cultural identity and ecological stewardship are interwoven.

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