This powerful video tells the story of an Indigenous boy who has a magical experience that allows him to see what various degraded environments used to be like when they were healthy and full of life.
Students will be able to connect emotionally with the message of the video through the beautiful imagery and music.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This video works well for students at a variety of levels, as it is wordless, contains several layers to unpack, and tells a powerful story.
The concept of the video is engaging and imaginative.
Additional Prerequisites
For younger students, you may have to pause the video to explain the significance of the elder's pin.
You may need to explain the significance of planting the trees to some students.
Differentiation
This video could be used in science and social studies classes when discussing how our changing climate is impacting different parts of the world.
For older students, break the class into groups to find current and past photos of a part of the world that they are interested in. Guiding questions include:
What changes do they notice? Which of the changes can be attributed to climate change? Which changes may have exacerbated climate change? How did the video make them feel?
For younger students, facilitate a discussion about what they noticed, felt, and wondered while watching the video.
Art classes could use this video as an example of using imagery to tell a story and how to use the power of music to evoke emotions and amplify works of art.
This resource demonstrates how human activities have negatively impacted planet Earth in the past and at present, and what measures need to be taken to restore the Earth. This will motivate students to drive their sustainability projects in the community. Thus, the resource is ideal for classroom.
Standards
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 4: Taking Informed Action
D4.6.6-8 Draw on multiple disciplinary lenses to analyze how a specific problem can manifest itself at local, regional, and global levels over time, identifying its characteristics and causes, and the challenges and opportunities faced by those trying to address the problem.
D4.6.3-5 Draw on disciplinary concepts to explain the challenges people have faced and opportunities they have created, in addressing local, regional, and global problems at various times and places.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Speaking & Listening (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.2 Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.2 Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) in order to make informed decisions and solve problems, evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source and noting any discrepancies among the data.
National Core Arts Standards
Visual Arts: Standard 8 - Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
VA:Re8.1.3a Interpret art by analyzing use of media to create subject matter, characteristics of form, and mood.
