Help a Sister Out

COLLECTION

PRIMARY ELEMENTARY |  PERFORMING ARTS & SOCIAL STUDIES

Help a Sister Out

Students will explore Native American culture and planting techniques, then compare and contrast planting techniques then and now.

Concepts: Culture, Native American History, Plants

Essential Questions

• How did the Creek and Cherokee use the natural resources of the land where they lived?
• How does the culture of the Creek and Cherokee compare to our local culture?
• How can we provide or protect what plants need to thrive and grow?

Standards Addressed

Focus

• SS2H2a. Students will describe the region in Georgia where the Creek and Cherokee lived and how the people used their local resources.
• SS2H2b. Students will compare and contrast the Georgia Creek and Cherokee cultures of the past to Georgians today.

Review

• S1L1a. Students will identify the basic needs of a plant: air, water, light, nutrients.
• (see Square Foot Garden lesson plans)

Explorations in this Collection

Acting Out the Planting of the Three Sisters

Acting Out the Legend of the Three Sisters

Recommended Resources

Online

• Facts about Native American tribes
• Additional Resources on growing Three Sisters Gardens
  • http://gardening.cals.cornell.edu/lessons/curricula/the-three-sisters-exploring-an-iroquois-garden/how-to-plant-the-three-sisters/
  • http://www.reneesgarden.com/articles/3sisters.html
  • http://www.darrolshillingburg.com/GardenSite/NewsletterPDF/TrainingClass/ThreeSistersGuide_all.pdf
  • http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/teach/2003045238014436.html

Educators

• Roots, Shoots, Buckets and Boots (pages 120 – 127) by Sharon Lovejoy
• In the Three Sisters Garden: Native American Stories and Seasonal Activities for the Curious Child by JoAnne Dennee