Wild rice growing on Big Sandy Lake in Minnesota.
Lorie Shaull, CC BY 2.0
Pathway Summary
Anchoring phenomenon lesson
This lesson begins with students reflecting on the importance of wild rice to Indigenous peoples in the area and in their own lives. Students examine data showing the decline in wild rice abundance over many years and construct an initial model to explain why they think wild rice is declining. They then pose questions they need to answer to strengthen their explanations.
Phenomenon
Wild rice abundance is steadily decreasing which has cultural implications.
Community
Minneapolis, MN is an urban city in the upper Midwest, and is home to one of the largest urban Indigenous populations in the nation. Traditionally, wild rice is an important food source for Indigenous peoples in the region, and wild rice abundance has been steadily decreasing.
Materials Available
Anchoring phenomenon lesson
Key Features
Urban
Family connection
Indigenous connection
Educator Insight
Teacher: Carmen Gavin-Vanegas
Why I chose this phenomenon
Wild rice is important to the Ojibwe and Dakota communities and is a keystone species in our local ecosystems.
How my students responded
Building knowledge about the impacts of climate change on wild rice got students thinking about the broader impact of climate change on many culturally important plants and animals. Students were motivated to take action to strengthen local ecosystems through restoration so that they will be more resilient to climate change.
