“If the Forest Could Talk and the Water Could Flow”

Abstract

This unit addresses the ecosystem of plants and the reliance of the plants to living and nonliving organism. The students will learn the importance of plants in the forest in Chuska mountain and in around their environment. They will be able to identify the name in English and in Navajo language as well as their usage in their own Native culture. Furthermore, students will learn the earth’s condition today and how it has negative effects on the plants and human life. In learning about how trees such as ponderosa trees, juniper trees, oak trees and even to the types of smaller plants or bushes such as sage and yucca are of importance to humans and animals. The plants are also known to be of importance to the Diné culture and its usage. Students will learn to name some of the plants such as yucca, sage, and other know bushes in their environment. They will learn the usage of plants such as to cleanse, make a basket, or take it as an herb for medicine or food.