Thanksgiving Garden Science and Engineering STEM Unit

Garden clubs and classroom teachers alike enjoy this three-lesson unit! Teach your students about the science behind the first Thanksgiving harvest.

Learn what the Wampanoag taught the pilgrims about the Three Sisters planting method--prevalent throughout North America in pre-Columbian times and featured on the reverse of the 2009 Native American U.S. $1 coin.

Students will learn about:
☀ ☀ The Iroquois Indian Legend of the Three Sisters ☀ ☀
• Discover what it taught their children about companion planting.
• Students are introduced to the legend through a captivating presentation followed by a fun classroom game and observation activity.

☀ ☀ The Native American practice of companion planting corn, beans and squash ☀ ☀
• After viewing an illustrative animation, students will demonstrate their understanding through another classroom game.
• They will then create a 3-D model of a Three Sisters garden and summarize its benefits in writing.
• Then they will work in groups to engineer a gardening solution for a dry climate. After sharing their 3-D designs, they will learn how Anasazi and Pueblo Indians varied their techniques to suit their climate, and that other civilizations--including the Aztec and Maya also used Three Sisters gardening.

☀ ☀ Current MyPlate.gov US nutrition standards ☀ ☀
• Students will determine whether the The Three Sisters crops make a healthy meal in a fun, interactive art and writing project.

RELATED RESOURCES
☀ Bundle: The Legend of the Three Sisters Video w/Thanksgiving STEM Lesson Plans
☀ The Legend of the Three Sisters Video (Stand-Alone Version)

Lesson plans combine a series of:
• engaging hands-on activities
• observation labs
• writing exercises
• 3-D dioramas
• computer interactives

Interactives run on Flash and PowerPoint viewer. They are versatile enough to be used:
• On any computer with a classroom projector
• With a smart whiteboard (or interactive flipchart)
• On a PC in a homeschool setting

This is an excellent way to incorporate science into your November harvest theme!

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All projects are aligned to Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). See preview file for lesson overview and standards alignment.

! Terms of Use: This product gives the End User (purchaser) the right to use the lesson plans in their classroom. Please purchase one additional, discounted multi-seat license per classroom if sharing with additional classrooms or for school district use. Thank you!

Keywords: fall, autumn, food groups, pumpkins, seeds, Massachusetts, vines, stalk, cornbread, corn meal, soil, fish, nutrients, protein, grain, vegetable, fruit, feast, tribe, Anasazi, Maya, collaborate, collaborative, multisensory