Overview
Author(s) :
- Nina Surbaugh (Yurok) Acorns to Oaks Child Care, Owner
- Maggie Peters (Yurok/Karuk) NASMC Learning Specialists Humboldt County Office of Education
- Yurok Tribe:
- Brittany Vigil-Burbank, Yurok Language Program Distance Learning Coordinator
- Barbara McQuillen, Yurok Language Program Collections Coordinator & Lead Teacher
- Big Lagoon Elementary School
Grade(s) : TK-2nd
Suggested Amount of Time : 90-100 minutes - Can break up into three 30 minute sessions (Acorn Sensory Play Extension Activity is optional - reduce time to 60 minutes if no sensory activities offered)
Curriculum Themes:
- Cultural Strengths
- Relationship to Place
- Cross Curricular Integration
Learning Goals
- Make connections between nature and Indigenous cultural practices.
- Exposure to acorn harvest and processing practices.
- Explore acorns using hands-on STEM activities (motion, measurement and problem solving).
- Practice fine motor skills and scientific inquiry (e.g floating, cracking, sorting)
- Foster curiosity and appreciation for the natural world and its resources through sensory exploration.
- Engage in dramatic play or sensory bin activities, using acorns and other materials to create stories, role-play, or sort objects, promoting imagination and creativity.
- Connect to the local environment, learning about the life cycle of acorns and their historical significance.
Lesson Overview
This lesson aims to connect young students to the rich cultural history and natural world through the exploration of acorns, a vital food source for Indigenous communities, particularly the Yurok, in Northwest California. Students will be exposed to children engaging in a series of sensory activities which teachers are encouraged to replicate in their classrooms. Through this lesson, students will learn about the life cycle of acorns and how they are harvested and processed for consumption. The lesson begins with an introduction to the cultural importance of acorns through a Yurok language integrated children’s book and their significance as a staple food for Indigenous peoples and their role in sustaining life in California.
Students will then engage in a water exploration activity, where they’ll discover whether acorns sink or float, prompting questions like “How many acorns does it take to sink the pumpkin?” This ties into the fall harvest season and encourages students to observe and hypothesize. Next, students will practice cracking acorns using nutcrackers or rocks, which enhances fine motor skills while teaching them about the process of cracking and preparing acorns for consumption. In this step, they’ll also learn to identify usable acorns from those that are spoiled, offering insight into how acorns are carefully selected, sorted and processed.
For a more hands-on STEM experience, students will build ramps using cardboard, tubes, or other materials to experiment with acorn trajectory creating their own tracks to explore motion and gravity. This activity fosters creativity and introduces basic physics concepts. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to weigh and measure acorns using a balance scale, engaging in simple math and measurement activities which support early numeracy skills.
The lesson can also include a sensory bin for dramatic play, where students can sort acorns, create stories, or mimic the harvesting process. This bin serves as a calming space that encourages sensory exploration and imaginative play. By integrating science, math, culture, and sensory learning, this lesson provides a well-rounded opportunity for students to connect with the natural world and the traditions of the Indigenous peoples of California. Through these hands-on activities, children will build foundational skills while gaining an appreciation for the cultural and ecological importance of acorns in their local environment.
Teacher Background
Creating a rich and engaging learning environment for young children requires a deep understanding of how sensory activities foster cognitive, emotional, and physical development. Research shows that sensory play is critical for early childhood learning as it stimulates neural pathways and supports brain development, particularly in areas related to problem-solving, language, and motor skills. Sensory activities help children process the world around them, integrate different types of information, and develop social-emotional regulation. For young learners, sensory activities such as exploring textures, sounds, and movements, allow them to explore the natural world in ways which are engaging and meaningful.
Sensory play, such as cracking acorns, floating and sinking experiments, or manipulating objects in water, encourages children to experiment, hypothesize, and engage their senses in critical thinking. These types of activities promote fine motor skills as children manipulate objects and materials, helping to develop hand-eye coordination and dexterity. Furthermore, sensory activities help children regulate emotions, improve attention span, and reduce stress, creating an environment that nurtures both cognitive growth and emotional well-being. When students engage in hands-on, multisensory experiences, they are more likely to retain information and make connections to real-world concepts.
Incorporating culturally significant resources into the classroom is equally essential for creating a diverse, inclusive, and meaningful learning environment. Research shows when students see their cultural backgrounds reflected in the curriculum, it fosters a sense of identity, belonging, and pride. For Indigenous students, in particular, seeing the traditions and cultural practices of their ancestors integrated into their learning helps preserve cultural knowledge and promotes a deep connection to their heritage. For non-Indigenous students, learning about diverse cultures encourages respect, empathy, and understanding of the richness of different worldviews and experiences.
Incorporating acorns, for example, as a culturally significant resource, connects students to the Indigenous peoples of California, especially the Yurok, who have relied on acorns as a staple food source for thousands of years. By exploring acorns through sensory stations, STEM activities, and storytelling, students not only gain knowledge of the local environment but also develop a deeper appreciation for the traditional ecological knowledge of Indigenous communities. This approach provides a holistic and authentic way to integrate culture, history, and science into early childhood education.
Incorporating local cultural traditions, like the use of acorns in your classroom, can foster a sense of connection to the land and its history, allowing students to see the interwoven relationships between people, culture, and the environment. When sensory activities include culturally meaningful materials, they provide students with both a tactile and intellectual connection to the world around them.
In sum, integrating sensory activities with culturally significant resources like acorns supports young learners’ cognitive, physical, and social-emotional development. It creates an inclusive, culturally responsive learning environment where students are encouraged to explore, hypothesize, and connect with the diverse world they are part of. Through hands-on, culturally rich experiences, students not only deepen their understanding of the natural world but also develop respect and appreciation for the cultural knowledge embedded in their surroundings.