Purpose:  To learn about and appreciate the native wisdom of your heritage and the heritage of others.  In ancient traditions, natural simplicity, wisdom, and respect for the earth were inherent in almost every practice.  The needs of the people and the methods to satisfy those needs were simple and without waste.  Look at the natural simplicity in the lives of your country's native peoples.  Discover ways in which native peoples have used resources by reading a story, visiting a museum or a library with an exhibit, or viewing a film.  Invite members of the community who can share artifacts or crafts from your heritage.

At some time during your lessons on traditional wisdom, discuss the Reflection Points:  Simplicity is learning from the earth.  Simplicity teaches us economy -- how to use our resources wisely, keeping future generations in mind.  Point out, or ask the students to explore, how the people of native cultures were wise in doing this.  Ask them which values are inherent in different practices.  

Ask:

• Which aspects of their wisdom do you think it would be beneficial to practice in today?s world?

Ask students to draw and write about the results of their investigation. The class could do an art project, duplicating something from their heritage. Or they could make a clay model and tell their parents about it when they bring it home. In preparation for the ?at-home presentation,? ask students to tell you their points about the object and its history. Tell them to write their points on the board and to practice with a peer partner before they take the object home.

Simplicity Lesson:  Conservation, Respect for the Earth

Concept:  Simplicity is the precursor to sustainable development.  Simplicity teaches us economy -- how to use our resources with the needs of future generations in mind. When we, as students, learn to respect the earth, we will, as adults, respect the earth. Simple methods can be effective in achieving a goal.

Activity:  You may want to begin this exercise by showing a film about the earth or reading another story about a tradition that held great love for Mother Earth.  You could also ask the students why it is important to respect and take care of the earth. (They often have the best answers!)Talk about simplicity as the precursor to sustainable development. Follow this by asking the students to think of ideas or ways to conserve in the classroom. For example, they could set up a recycling bin, they could use paper on both sides, and everyone could save magazines and little sticks to be used for art projects. They may decide to generate ideas about how to be careful about not wasting water.

Activity:  On the school grounds, they could pick up litter or plant trees and bushes. They could research environmental concerns to do with the school. They could question whether we are polluting or wasting our water. For instance, if the grass is being watered in the afternoon, they could ask the school principal to change the watering schedule from the afternoon to the morning to conserve water.

Activity:  After the students have thought about and implemented a few respect-for-the-earth changes, ask them to generate ideas for the home or the community. If litter or waste is affecting the clean water supply, address that issue. Perhaps help clean up a local river. Some students may want to research local usage of pesticides and natural (and cheaper) alternatives that do not pollute the earth or its inhabitants. They could write to their local mayor, sharing their ideas. They could make up respect-for-the-earth slogans and post them at school and at sports-game locales in the community.