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Honoring the Natural Environment as Home
Duration
Two 50-min class periodsSubject
- English & Language Arts
Grade
11–12Language
English — USPublished
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Overview
About This Lesson
While the concept of home is often rooted in the places we come from or have grown familiar with, many also experience feeling a deep sense of belonging in and with nature. When you ask people where they feel most “at home,” some describe a riverbank, a forested trail, a garden, or an open meadow. Psychologist and researcher Lisa Nisbet explains this phenomenon through the “biophilia hypothesis,” which posits that “since our ancestors evolved in wild settings and relied on the environment for survival, we have an innate drive to connect with nature.” While this is only one theory, we do not need to look too deeply to find a wide breadth of anecdotal evidence in literature: much of our poetry and narratives illustrate that wherever we live—city, suburbs, or countryside—we find ways to connect with nature.
Through the exploration of two literary works—”eco-hood,” a poem, and “An Offering,” a narrative chapter—students engage with the idea that nature can be as much a home as any dwelling or community. By reading, reflecting on, and discussing these texts, students explore two diverse perspectives on our relationship with the natural world. This lesson will enrich their understanding of “home” as an inclusive idea that encompasses not only where we live but also how we connect with the environment around us.
Lesson Materials
- Reading: “An Offering” from Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults
- Handout: “An Offering” Connection Questions
- Handout: “eco-hood” Connection Questions
- Audio: “eco-hood” with Introduction by Major Jackson
- Reading: “A Kingdom Bright and Burning” by Dave Connis from Welcome Home
Essential Questions
How can reimagining “home” empower us to define how and where we belong in the world?
Guiding Questions
- How can the natural environment contribute to our sense of home?
- What does a connection with nature look like in different settings?
Facing History Learning Outcomes
- Examine how an individual’s identity, group membership, and relationship to systems of inequity can impact their sense of who they are and their agency when faced with a moral dilemma or choice.
- Make real-world connections that explore historical and contemporary contexts in literature.
Preparing to Teach
A Note to Teachers
Before teaching this lesson, please review the following information to help guide your preparation process.
Lesson Plans
Day 1 Activities
Day 1 Homework
Day 2 Activities
Day 2 Homework
Extension Activities
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