MS-LS2-4 | We Are California

Lagoons as Vital Cultural Ecosystems

Performing—Anchor Standard 6, Creating—Anchor Standard 2, MS-ESS3-3, MS-LS2-3, MS-LS2-4

Students will learn to see lagoons as important to Indigenous cultures and the surrounding communities, including themselves. Students will analyze the dangers of water pollution to the ocean and lagoons to plants, animals, and culture. Students will learn how to identify some of the common plants and animals at a lagoon. Students will learn how to speak about the importance of wetlands and lagoons to Indigenous culture through a story with a moral or lesson about good lagoon stewardship. The ultimate goal is for students to learn the importance of understanding the connection between healthy ecosystems and the resilience of Indigenous cultures.

How Good Fire Builds Habitat for Animals and Plants

MS-ESS3-3, MS-ESS3-4, MS-ESS3-5, MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-2, MS-LS2-4, MS-LS2-5, MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-3

A multi-media, science-focused exploration of how cultural burning (good fire) brings health to traditional basketry plants, often the same plants that provide food and shelter to native bird species.

Traditional Native Ways of Conserving Marine Life

MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-2, MS-LS2-4, MS-LS2-5

This science-focused unit provides video interviews, art and photographs to describe how coastal resources are important to Tribal peoples, and how Tribal peoples manage those resources in different ways.