Dzééh - Elk

thematic units WORLD WAR II The Year/El Ano Arizona Wildlife The Human Senses Four Seasons Curricular Components The five senses Environmental Preservation Animals Project description Horned Lizard Elk Mocking bird Frog/toad Ducks Waterdog Fish Prairie dog Coyote

Dzééh - Elk Subject Area: Science Wildlife Classification: Mountain Grade Level: 3-5

Objective(s): Student will be able to:

1. Identify and name elk in Navajo and in English

2. Identify and label the body parts

3. Identify the elk's habitat, its food and its characteristics, including cultural beliefs.

4. Identify the cultural importance of the elk.

5. Compare and contrast various species of elk and deer family in the U.S. to the single species found on the Dine nation.

Materials/Resources:

Pictures, posters, scissors, books on elk, cultural films, videos, internet research, charts of various species of deer and elk in the U.S. with basic data on habitats, sizes, color, diet, etc.

Procedures/Activities:

1. Show a film and discuss importance of the elk in Dine culture.

2. Show charts and identify similarities and differences of the different species using a Venn diagram.

3. Take a field trip a local zoo.

4. Read books on elk and have students draw pictures of it.

5. Identify and label body parts.

6. Read and tell a story about elk in English and in Navajo.

Evaluation:

1. Students participation

2. Identify a significant aspect of the elk in Dine Culture.

3. Draw four things about an elk

4. Teacher Observation

Cross Curriculum/Subjects/Extensions:

Dine Culture: Identify term dzééh and other characters in cultural stories.

Math and Science: Compare the sizes of elk family

Language Arts: Create fictional story.

Science Standards # 4

Math Standards # 4,5

Technology Standards # 3