CA History             Through Plants

Kumeyaay Native Americans and Spanish Explores have used plants in this area for hundreds of years in many different ways. Become an Ethnobotanist and examine the uses of native and non-native species in our state’s history. Students assemble a small botanical collection and study how special structures help the native plants of the Sweetwater Marsh Refuge survive.

PROGRAM LENGTH: 4 hours, 9:30am- 1:30pm

PLEASE PREPARE YOUR STUDENTS

We have chosen one lesson for you to do with your students before you come, titled ETHNOBOTANICAL INTERVIEWERS so they will have the optimal experience when they are here. Please use it to prepare your students. Please teach the second lesson, titled ETHNOBOTANY STORIES LESSON and corresponding ETHNOBOTANY LESSON STUDENT VERSION   within a week of completing your Coastal Education Program to expand on the material learned during the CA History Through Plants Program. There are many more resources for you and your students listed below as well!

PLAN OF THE DAY: 

Your students will be able to participate in the CA History Through Plants Lesson, a Docent-led Tour around the Living Coast to see birds, turtles and touch stingrays, complete a scavenger hunt and go for a hike or listen to a Read Aloud. Half of the day you will be with a Teacher or Docent and the other half of the day you will be leading your class through provided activities.


EXAMPLE SCHEDULE - Actual schedule may vary

Standards:

NGSS

4-LS1-1 Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction

LS1.A Plants and animals have both internal and external structures that serve various functions in growth, survival, behavior and reproduction

CA State Social Science Standards

4.2 Students describe the social, political, cultural, and economic life and interactions among people of California from the pre-Columbian societies to the Spanish mission and Mexican rancho periods.

      1. Discuss the major nations of California Indians, including their geographic distribution, economic activities, legends, and religious beliefs; and describe how they depended on, adapted to, and modified the physical environment by cultivation of land and use of sea resources. 

      3. Describe the Spanish exploration and colonization of California, including the relationships among soldiers, missionaries, and Indians (e.g., Juan Crespi, Junipero Serra, Gaspar dePortola).

      5. Describe the daily lives of the people, native and nonnative, who occupied the presidios, missions, ranchos, and pueblos.

Common Core

ELA-Literacy.