Overview
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Author(s) : This unit was researched, authored, and edited by the Center, California Indian Museum and Cultural Center, California Indian Education for All, and the San Diego County Office of Education. Key writers and researchers of this unit are Nicole Lim, Rachael Barger, Denise Davis, and Dr. Staci Block. The unit resources were designed and created from funding through the California Department of Educationβs Native American Studies Model Curriculum grant and contract.
We gratefully acknowledge PBS KIDS and the creators of Molly of Denali for providing the video resources utilized in this unit. Their dedication to sharing Indigenous knowledge and fostering cultural understanding through engaging storytelling has significantly enriched our educational experience. For more episodes and resources, please visit PBS KIDS: Molly of Denali.(PBS KIDS) https://pbskids.org/molly/videos
Grade(s) : K-2nd Grades
Suggested Amount of Time : 30-45 minutes
Curriculum Themes:
- Cultural Strengths
- Relationship to Place
Learning Goals
By the end of the lesson, students will:
Learn how to label an Oak Tree and Acorns Anatomy
Understand key terms used when identifying Oak Trees and Acorns
Engage in a hands on exploration activity
Begin to consider how Native American communities benefited from Acorns
Lesson Overview
- Students develop vocabulary and observation skills to identify oak trees and acorn anatomy. Through labeling activities and hands-on exploration, they learn to name tree and seed parts while understanding how Native Americans used oak trees and their products. Students use teamwork and visual prompts to deepen their learning.
Procedures
Engage (Slides #3-6)
β Show a picture of an oak tree and an acorn:
β "Ask students to describe what they see?" What might it feel like, What does it look
like, What might it sound likeβ¦, Etc.
β "What can you predict Native Americans might have used an Acorn for?"
β "What do you think is more important, the Oak tree or Acorn?β
β Briefly explain: (Slide #7-8)
β Black Oak Trees can be found in the lower and middle mountain slopes and the
foothills in the Coast Ranges and the Sierra Nevada to the mountains of Southern
California
β The nut of the acorn also known as the fruit is used to make flour
β The Oak tree and Acorn are valuable to the ecosystem and a keystone species
Explain (Slide #9)
β Watch the story Little Acorn (Children's Book Read Aloud).
β While sharing, highlight key point
β What parts of the acorn are mentioned in the story
β What animal was helpful to the acorn
β What did you notice helped acorn to grow into a tree
Explore (Slides #10-11)
β Activity 1: Labeling an Oak Tree
β Pass out the laminated Anatomy of an Oak Tree
β Partner students together
β Use the slide with the words on the screen
β Ask students to work with their partners to write the words in the box identifying
that part of the oak tree
β Activity 2:: Labeling an Acorn(Slides #12-13)
β Pass out the laminated Anatomy of an Acorn
β Partner students together
β Use the slide with the words on the screen
β Ask students to work with their partners to write the words in the box identifying
that part of the oak tree and acorn
β An additional option of this could be to have an acorn for each group and ask
student to touch the parts of the acorn as they learn the identifying terms
Elaborate (Slides #14-15)
β Students will be shown a series of photos of tribal community preparing acorns using the
Think-Pair-Share strategy have students discuss the following:
β Looking at the photos, what do you predict they are doing with the acorns?
β Once acorns have been prepared, how do you think they could be used as a food
source?
Evaluate
β Review key points:
β What do you think is important to remember about oak trees and acorns?
β Why should we work to protect this keystone species?
β How do you think Native Americans learned how to use acorns?
Extend
β Outdoor Exploration: Go on a nature walk to look for oak trees and acorns.
β Hands On Activity: Bring in some acorns, mortar and pestles and allow students to practice
cracking and preparing acorns for flour
β Cultural Connection: Research how tribes in California used acorns
Assessment
β Observe student engagement with partners
β Ask for group feedback for each activity
Unit Background
This interdisciplinary unit invites students to explore the acornβa 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.