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Berry Song

Elementary

Description

In this delightful story a Tlingit grandmother and granddaughter embark on a journey of knowledge sharing and discovery as they gather food from the wild.  The Elder and child move through the seasons, collecting herring eggs, seaweed, salmon and berries while singing to Earth, who responds with the sounds, sights and smells of nature.  The young girl learns about the traditions of her community and why she must always respect and care for the natural world that provides so much.  This peacful story describes the interconnections between Indigenous peoples and Mother Earth while delivering a powerful message about the importance of living in harmony with the water, land and air that connects us all.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This book supports Grade K-3 Science outcomes related to seasonal changes in nature, plant and animal characteristics and interactions of humans with the environment.  The story also complements Social Studies and Indigenous Studies lessons exploring traditional ecological knowledge, cultural respect for the natural world and Indigenous environmental stewardship.  Tlingit language, history and beliefs are included so students can understand the close relationship between these First Nations peoples and Pacific Coast ecosystems.

The story would make an excellent introduction to an Earth Day activity in which students go on a "sensory hike" with an Elder from a local First Nations community and use the experience to create posters about "Mother Earth".  The posters could be used as the centrepiece of a school educational display that informs students, teachers and community members about ways of "living lightly" when they are interacting with nature.

Relevant Curriculum Units

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      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Everyone has a unique story to share
        • Stories and other texts can be shared through pictures and words
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science: Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things.
        • Science: Plants and animals have observable features
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Our communities are diverse and made of individuals who have a lot in commo
        • Identity and Families
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Everyone has a unique story to share.
        • Stories and other texts can be shared through pictures and words
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
        • Science 1:Observable patterns and cycles occur in the local sky and landscape
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Everyone has a unique story to share.
        • Stories and other texts connect us to ourselves, our families, and our communities
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 2: Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Regional and Global Communities: Individuals have rights and responsibilities as global citizens
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Curiosity and wonder lead us to new discoveries about ourselves and the world around us.
        • Stories can be understood from different perspectives
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 3: Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Global Indigenous Peoples: Learning about indigenous peoples nurtures multicultural awareness and respect for diversity.
        • Global Indigenous Peoples: Indigenous knowledge is passed down through oral history, traditions, and collective memory.
        • Global Indigenous Peoples:Indigenous societies throughout the world value the well-being of the self, the land, spirits, and ancestors

Themes Addressed

Ecosystems (1)

  • Appreciating the Natural World

Indigenous Knowledge (2)

  • Rituals, Spirituality and Worldviews
  • TEK -- Traditional Ecological Knowledge

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