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Why Buzzard Is a Loner

Main Core Tie

Health Education - 4th Grade
Strand 1: HEALTH FOUNDATIONS AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS OF HEALTHY SELF (HF) Standard 4.HF.4:

Time Frame

1 class periods of 45 minutes each

Group Size

Small Groups

Life Skills

  • Communication
  • Social & Civic Responsibility

Authors

Julie Lee

Summary

Students will read and discuss the Uintah/Ouray Ute tale of "Why the Buzzard Is a Loner."


Materials

Why buzzard is a loner?


Background for Teachers

This is not a seasonal story, which means the story can be told anytime during the year. For more information about the Uintah/Ouray Ute Nation, see http://www.utetribe.com.


Student Prior Knowledge

Students will need to know the feeding habits of buzzards as scavengers who eat carcasses.

Students need to understand that part of a healthy lifestyle includes relationships with friends and associates.


Intended Learning Outcomes

Student will be selective about nutritional choices and hygienic habits.

Student will be familiar with the importance of relationships.


Instructional Procedures

  • Preview the vocabulary:
    1. perch
    2. spiraling
    3. wobbled and bobbled
    4. frantically
    5. burst
  • Glossary: Mahmahkuraheh-the Ute word for magpie.
  • Distribute and read storybook as an individual, pair, small or whole group. AND/OR
  • Arrange for a health practitioner, school counselor or the school nurse to read the story while students follow along, then do a presentation about healthy teeth maintenance (i.e., brushing, flossing, rinsing, etc.) and interpersonal relationships, making sure to emphasize the connections between health and happiness.


Strategies for Diverse Learners

Students can read in pairs or small groups or can listen to an audio CD.


Extensions

LANGUAGE ARTS:
Students could retell the story through a puppet show.

SCIENCE:
Have students identify the hummingbird, magpie, bluebird, and buzzard by finding pictures using the encyclopedia, the Internet, or bird books.


Assessment Plan

Students in groups of four will discuss and identify the lesson/moral of the story and present their conclusion to the whole group.


Bibliography

Audio recording as retold by Tribal Cultural Consultant, Gloria Thompson


Created: 06/06/2006
Updated: 02/06/2020
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