Classroom Resources
Website Resources
University of Alberta's Center for Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education (CMASTE)
This is a great place to find sample lesson plans and classroom resources that portray the possibilities of Aboriginal infusion in the Alberta Biology 20 curriculum.
A page dedicated to sharing resources from teachers across North America, all centering on the use of gardening within classroom curriculum. Mostly science based, but includes many cross-curricular lessons and activities. Various grade levels are targeted.
Nitsitapiisinni - Stories and Spaces Exploring Kainai Plants and Culture
Website created following a Grade 4 classroom's experience working with Kainai plants and culture within curriculum. Includes a PDF file of sample cross-curricular lesson plans, and instructional videos for how to use the site within existing teaching practices.
Visual Thesaurus Scientific Nomenclature Lesson Plan
A great lesson plan idea that can be incorporated to use with or without the garden. Payment required for an account with Visual Thesaurus. Although it is not absolutely necessary, the site is highly interective and research based for students to use.
New site launched in Canada, connecting schools across the country by allowing them to build a profile for their gardens. Some teaching resources are also available, and are expected to grow as the site matures.
Website containing lesson plans ideas, games, videos, and interactive activities that can easily be implemented in the classroom. Science Alberta Foundation award winner, linked directly to Alberta curriculum.
School Garden Wizard: Children's Garden Themes
List of themed gardens that apply across the curriculum, regardless of what you decide to plant. Ideas of how to incorporate various plants into learning.
Classroom Materials
Biological Classification Questionnaire
Handout that could be used in conjunction with an activity in the gardens relating to nomenclature and classification systems, Biology 20. Adapted from http://www.ecoknow.ca/documents/TEKUnit1.pdf .
Interactive video activity describing photosynthesis, plant structure, and environmental effects on plants.
Video about carbon dioxide formation, capture, and stprage as it relates to the environment.
Video about entomology, and how insects can work as pollinators and decomposers.
Video about how organisms co-exist, and how humans can impact other organisms.
Reference Materials
Protocarnivorous Capabilities in Geranium viscosissimum
Research proving that Geranium viscosissimum (Sticky Geraniums) found in the Indigenous teaching gardens use their glandular surfaces to trap insects, digest them with enzymes, and use resulting nitrogen to supplement what they obtain from the soil. Can be used in conjunction with teaching about nitrogen cycles and relationships between organisms.
Examples of Ojibway plant taxonomy that can be used in the classroom as a resource for Indigenous classification systems.
Site describing Inuit Taxonomy, can be used in the classroom as a reference for Indigenous classification systems
Naming Nature: The clash between instinct and science
Book describing classification, taxonomy, and the interesting connections between all patterns that exist within different systems. Excellent for understanding how people have derived classification systems independently, while still creating similar systems.
Publication by Alberta Education, describing Indigenous perspectives and how they exist in the classroom. Many great examples of acknoledging Indigenous perspectives in the classroom, and how to teach students of Indigenous culture.
Other Lesson Plan Ideas
Utilizes pH strips and pH probes to determine the pH of soil in various locations and conditions. This can be used with the Indigenous teaching gardens by having students test different ares of the gardens, and comparing the soil pH levels of both the gardens. Can also discuss traditional and modern techniques for adjusting soil pH. Retrieved from the Edible Schoolyard Project site.
Temperature Basics in the Garden
Students use various methods to record temperature in different locations in the garden. Helps gain knowledge of the environment in the garden, as well skills involved in measuring and recording temperature. Can be adapted to include a closer relationship with the Alberta curriculum by tying to more specific objectives in the Program of Studies. Retrieved from the Edible Schoolyard Project site.
Students look at different native Alberta species as they relate to biodiversity and food chains. Could easily be adapted to include species found in the garden, or Aboriginal consumption of native species. Retrieved from http://www.alpac.ca/index.cfm?id=lesson_plans.
My Community - Ecological Design
Students analyze their community as it has impacted native species, then redesign it to allow reduced impact on the natural environment without decreasing the quality of life of humans. In place of choosing a native animal species, students could choose one of the native plant species found in the gardens. Retrieved fromhttp://www.alpac.ca/index.cfm?id=lesson_plans.
Pulse Crops and Seed Production
Students use math to determine the planting map for a pulse garden, as well as weight conversions. Could easily be adapted to use the Indigenous teaching gardens in place of pulses. Retrieved from http://www.pulse.ab.ca/ForEducators/Grade4LessonPlans/tabid/217/Default.aspx.