My child visited the Bell Museum of Natural History and completed a discovery journal titled "climate, global change, indigenous perspectives." Vocabulary learned included climate, phenology, and evolution. The student learned what happens to life when the earth's environment changes. He also heard about how native american and indigenous cultures view changes in the world. Learned characteristics of earth as compared to other planets. Explored how some species are vulnerable to climate change and how small changes in one species can affect an entire ecosystem. Child named examples of phenology such as annual flower blooms, bird migrations, and elk mating seasons.

History

• The student learned about the perspectives of Native American and indigenous cultures on global changes, providing insight into historical and cultural viewpoints on environmental shifts.
• The student gained an understanding of how changes in the earth's environment impact life, which can be linked to historical events and patterns of human and environmental interaction.
• Explored characteristics of earth in comparison to other planets, which can provide a historical context for human exploration and understanding of the natural world.

Science

• Learned about the concept of climate and its impact on life, gaining insight into the scientific perspective on environmental changes.
• Explored the concept of evolution and how it relates to species vulnerability to climate change, providing a scientific basis for understanding the natural world and its ecosystems.
• Identified examples of phenology, such as annual flower blooms, bird migrations, and elk mating seasons, which relates to the scientific study of seasonal natural phenomena.

Social Studies

• Gained insight into indigenous perspectives on global changes, providing a social and cultural understanding of different worldviews on environmental shifts.
• Explored the impact of global change on vulnerable species and ecosystems, connecting social studies to environmental issues and human impact on the natural world.

For continued development, it would be beneficial to encourage the student to engage in further research on indigenous perspectives and traditional ecological knowledge related to climate change. Additionally, hands-on activities such as creating a local phenology calendar or participating in citizen science projects can further deepen the student's understanding of environmental changes and their impact on ecosystems.

Book Recommendations

• The Tanaina Plantlore: An Ethnobotany of the Dena'ina Indians of Southcentral Alaska by Priscilla Russell Kari: This book provides insights into indigenous perspectives on the natural world, focusing on the traditional ecological knowledge of the Dena'ina Indians.
• Climate Change: Discover How It Impacts Spaceship Earth by Joshua Sneideman and Erin Twamley: This book offers a scientific exploration of climate change and its effects on the planet, suitable for ninth-grade readers.
• Phenology: An Integrative Environmental Science by Mark D. Schwartz: This book provides a comprehensive understanding of phenology, a topic of interest identified by the student, and its relevance to environmental science.