Unit Summary

 

This interdisciplinary unit invites students to explore the acorn—a small seed with enormous ecological and cultural importance. Through hands-on experiences, storytelling, video content, and creative expression, students will develop an understanding of the life cycle of acorns and oak trees, their role as a keystone species, and the vital ways Native American communities have used, respected, and protected oak trees and acorns for generations. Drawing from Indigenous perspectives and knowledge systems, students will engage in place-based and inquiry-based learning that nurtures curiosity, empathy, and a sense of responsibility for the natural world.

Unit Objectives

• Identify an acorn and its parts (cap, nut, shell).
• Understand the relationship between acorns and oak trees.
• Recognize the role of acorns in the ecosystem.
• Engage in creative and sensory activities to explore acorns.
• Recognize Native American resilience and cultural contributions through literature and historical accounts.
• Identify acorns and their role in nature.
• Understand how Indigenous knowledge relates to nature and ecosystems.
• Connect ideas from a Molly of Denali video to real-world learning about acorns.
• Engage in hands-on exploration of acorns.
• Explore the ecological role of acorns in supporting wildlife and plant communities.
• Learn how California Native American tribes harvest and prepare acorns as a traditional food source.
• Recognize the ongoing stewardship practices of Native communities in protecting oak ecosystems.
• Connect classroom learning to storytelling and media (e.g., Molly of Denali) that elevate Indigenous voices.
• Participate in collaborative, hands-on, and creative activities such as crafts, writing, and nature observation.

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