Guardians of the Earth
Provided by: Empatico|Published on: April 25, 2024
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Social Studies, Visual and Performing Arts
Authors: Empatico
Region: Oceania
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This lesson integrates artistic creation and reflection as students learn about the history of the Māori Tribe of New Zealand and their efforts to protect the lands they deem as sacred.
- Students will engage in a classroom discussion that covers multiple disciplines, complete a project that is based on a local natural landmark that they deem as important, and answer guided questions that encourage them to reflect on salient environmental issues.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This lesson provides students with an opportunity to develop their empathy and emotional intelligence.
- This lesson challenges students to think about colonialism's impact on Indigenous people and the world at-large.
Additional Prerequisites
- Some art supplies, such as crayons and paint, will be needed to administer this lesson.
- It may be helpful if teachers read the attached "Empathy Framework" before conducting this lesson.
Differentiation
- There is a BBC article attached to this lesson plan, and students can read this article at home to prepare for in-class discussions.
- Teachers can use this lesson plan as a conceptual introduction to Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK).
- This lesson can support a classroom discussion on the connection between colonialism of centuries past and the environmental challenges that we face today.
- This lesson can enhance a classroom discussion on environmental stewardship and how students can take responsible ownership of the natural world that they inhabit.
This resource spotlights the Māori tribe and the way they use their indigenous knowledge to conserve the rainforest in New Zealand. This is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
