Caring for the Earth is an important part of responsible decision-making and global citizenship. Our Father Sky and Mother Earth provide for our most basic needs. We need to protect and care for our environment. Through this lesson, students will strengthen thier social and emotional learning skills by reading a Navajo legend - "Father Sky and Mother Earth." Student will explore how they can be good stewards of the Earth and Sky in protecting our natural resources. 

Activity: Students will be instructed regarding the Japanese community in Utah, emphasizing Japan Town in SLC. Students will be able to view this community via a Google Earth tour. The instructor will review the Japanese Church of Christ, the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, and end the tour with a look at the Salt Palace Japanese Garden and reviewing photos from the North American Japanese Garden Association. After being able to see an example of Japanese architecture and landscaping, students will create their own Japanese-inspired communities by drawing or dioramas. Purpose: Students will get to learn about the cultural significance of Japanese buildings and landscaping and the significance of Japantown, SLC. Students will solidify their knowledge and show in a creative formative assessment what characterizes Japanese landscaping and architecture.  

Activity: Students will watch a PBS-sponsored and illustrated video of Hawaiian storyteller Kealoha Kelekolio chronicling the creation story of the Hawaiian island chain. After seeing an example of Pacific storytelling, each student will chronicle their family creation story (or another event of equal importance), emphasizing events of significance or providing an illustration of their family. Students will then share their stories within groups or as a class to experience storytelling as a traditional skill.Purpose: Students will participate in the difficult storytelling process that Pacific Islander communities use to pass along their histories.