| Category |
Lesson Name
|
Topic & Focus
|
Description |
| Science |
Observation—Using
5 Senses |
Observation |
This quick lesson encourages students to learn to make observations with all the senses
(not just their eyes). |
| Science |
Carbon Cycle Game |
Carbon Cycle |
This is a quick, kinetic lesson where students become carbon molecules and move about
the room to illustrate how the carbon cycle works. This mini-lesson is based on a
game by the Royal Chemistry Society. |
| Science |
What is the Scientific
Method? |
Scientific Method |
This short lesson helps students solidify the steps of the scientific method. It can
be used as a warm-up to a larger science lesson, or as stand-alone mini-lesson. |
| Science |
What's in a
Name? |
Place Names |
An introductory lesson to the importance of place names. This generic lesson could
be used as an opener to a larger activity (e.g., a walk on the land with an Elder,
culture camp). The lesson requires that the teacher either already know some place
names, or learn from an Elder or culture-bearer before teaching the lesson. |
| Science |
Adaptations of Arctic
Plants |
Adaptations/Arctic
Plants |
An introduction to linking arctic conditions and the specific adaptations of plants
to this environment. Focus on details of arctic conditions and having students generate
ideas and use creative and critical thinking. Lesson can be modified for different
age/grade levels. |
| Science |
Arctic Wildflower
Adaptations |
Adaptations/Arctic
Wildflowers |
Specific focus on the abiotic factors/ challenges of the arctic and wildflower adaptations.
Uses observation as the method for exploring adaptations. Lesson has MANY ways to
extend with multiple different resources. Option to include Native language and identification. |
| Science |
What is life? |
Characteristics of
life |
An introductory lesson to the characteristics of life. Depth can be modified for grade
level. A good starting point for deeper investigations. Also a good starting point
for looking at differences and overlap of Indigenous Knowing and Western Science. |
| Science |
Keystone Species |
Keystone Species |
A demonstration for what is a Keystone species. It involves a tower of blocks that
tumbles when a bottom block is pulled out. Students will think about the ways other
species are dependent on a keystone species. Many extension options. |
| Science |
Dissolved Oxygen
in Water |
Dissolved oxygen |
An experiment activity to increase the level of Dissolved Oxygen in a water sample.
Can be used as in intro activity to more in-depth study on DO or introducing the importance
of using the same method when comparing data. |
| Science |
Is This Water Clean? |
Water quality |
An activity that introduces the idea that there are things in water we can't see.
Challenges our assumptions about what we see. Good introduction to the study of water
quality. |
| Science |
Practical Uses of
Plants |
Plant use |
An introduction to the idea of practical uses of common plants of the area with an
activity outside of class time to interview an Elder and extensions to create a presentation
of some kind. |
| Science |
Surface Tension |
Surface Tension |
This quick demonstration uses black pepper, water, and dish soap, to show how surface
tension works. |
| Science |
Light Refraction |
Light Refraction |
In this lesson, students watch and learn how to do a "magic trick" to demonstrate
light refraction. |
| Science |
How does
the Water
Cycle Work? |
Water Cycle |
A quick lesson that demonstrates the water cycle using a zip-lock baggie, and a window
that receives a lot of sun. |
| Science |
Classifying |
Classification |
This lesson allows students to practicing the important scientific skill of classifying.
Using a variety of simple objects (e.g., crayons, cotton balls, buttons), students
learn that different "scientists" group things differently. Lesson can easily be used
as an introduction to a larger lesson, or as a stand alone activity. |
| Science |
Communicating Science |
Communicating
science |
In this activity, students play several rounds of the game "telephone" to illustrate
how and why science communication is important. Students devise different methods
to make the communication more accurate with each round. |
| Science |
Making Inferences |
Inferring |
In this activity, students play a game similar to Headbandz to ask questions and make inferences about a picture on their backs. Students begin
to articulate their thinking to describe how they came to their answers. |
| Science |
Predicting |
Predicting |
In this brief activity, students feel an item that is hidden in a jar. Based on what
they feel (size, shape, texture, etc.), they practice predicting what the item is.
The activity could be extended to include items from the outdoors around the school—students
might have the opportunity to use other senses (like smell) to help make their predictions. |
| Technology |
Centrifugal force
in Action |
Technology |
Lesson looks at concept of centrifugal force and how it is used in a modern day machine.
The big picture is considering how technological advances are based in science and
engineering concepts and how they can improve people's lives. |
| Technology |
Fish Wheels |
Extension |
In this lesson students think about the fish wheel in terms of it's effect on Time,
Efficiency and Quality in fishing. They apply this thinking to other machines and
technology. |
| Engineering |
Engineering Paper
Airplanes |
Paper Airplanes |
In this activity, students design and build two different paper airplanes and determine
which flies the farthest and which stays aloft the longest. Students identify different
design elements to begin predicting what properties affect the design quality. |
| Engineering |
Gill Net Engineering |
|
In this lesson students will think through the steps of designing a gill net for a
specific size fish. This has the option to add building their design. |
| Arts |
Introductions |
Introductions |
This lesson illustrates different expectations of how to politely introduce oneself.
It could be used for older students who may be preparing for job interviews outside
of the community. It could also be used simply to illustrate cultural differences
and expectations. |
| Arts |
What Does it Mean to Show Respect? |
How to be
Respectful |
Illustrate how to be respectful. What this means/ how it's different IK vs WS (IK
= show deep respect to Elders) |
| Arts |
Andrew Goldsworthy |
Art form |
This lesson uses Andrew Goldsworthy's temporary nature art as a starting point to
create their own art and to identify art made from natural materials in student's
culture. It is an introductory lesson with many extensions into traditional art techniques,
Art as a cultural bridge, leaving no trace in wilderness or various art movements. |
| Arts |
Salmon Life
Cycle Mobiles |
Art |
In this lesson, students create a mobile that depicts each stage of the salmon life
cycle (eggs, alevin, fry, smolts, adults, spawners). The lesson can be extended to
focus more what each stage looks like, how long it lasts (which differs depending
on species), etc. |
| Math |
Measurement—Length |
Measuring/Length |
Students do a kinetic activity (jumping) and practice taking length measurements to
determine who jumped the farthest. The lesson can be adapted to younger or older students
by varying the measurement technique or using relative terms. |
| Math |
Measurement—Weight |
Measuring/Weight |
Students make a homemade scale and practice determining which objects weigh the most
or least. |
| Math |
Measurement:
Understanding
PPM as a Ratio |
Measurement
ppm as a ratio |
A quick demo to introduce measurement of ppm as a ratio for concentration of substances
in water or air. |
| Math |
Only the Strong Survive |
Subtraction
Extension |
A math word problem using fish eggs as the content. Students are subtracting three
and four digit numbers. Option to include finding percentages. Extension to include
Indigenous Children's Books and salmon stories. - Note: This mini lesson is a worksheet
from Alaska's museum of science - clearly indicated on the sheet. Taken from the Fish
and Fisheries curriculum. |
| Math |
Fractals |
|
This lesson has students finding repetitive patterns in natural objects. A good introduction
to fractals or can be a jumping off point for more complex topics like coastal erosion.
Includes links to full fractal unit. |
