Teaching: An Integrated Unit based in Environmental Care and Connection

This lesson has students “perfink” (perceive, feel, and think) the munificence of the cedar; they need first to imagine themselves as needy. Thus the opening of this unit involves an examination of students’ possessions. Where did their clothes come from? Their food? Their homes? The other things they value (e.g. cars, electronics, sporting goods, music)? Everything is “borrowed” from somewhere, maybe many different places and people. Suppose that the people, places, plants and animals wanted “their” materials and labour returned to them: where would students turn to for a new source to meet their needs and wants?

Enter King (or Lord, or Chief) Cedar, monarch of the temperate rainforest, a vast realm he shares with lesser lords or chiefs. His message: he will share his wealth with those who understand and respect the laws of his land. Students have a limited period (e.g. two weeks) to show themselves worthy. To do so, they must perform a number of tasks involving research, writing, etc, culminating in a Cedar Feast.  Click here to read the rest of this, and other, engaging lessons: http://ierg.net/LUCID/resources/frames_work_plan.htm