Skull Detectives

Analyzing Cherokee stories, students will experience the importance of culturally relevant learning through Cherokee ecological knowledge.

Through an investigation of skulls, they will compare Indigenous cultural observations in long-told stories with scientific analysis to connect how animals have evolved to survive and interact with one another. This lesson will teach students how to:

  • Investigate differences between animals and how those differences uniquely help animals adapt to survive in their ecosystem.
  • Explain how changes in an ecosystem can impact the entire food chain, including humans.
  • Use the skills of a scientist (through observation, record keeping, use of scientific tools, comparison to a known knowledge) to examine and understand mysteries from the world around them.
  • Understand the meanings behind stories and make connections with cultures.

This video introduces the lesson and describes how to plan for the activities.

Activities for this lesson plan: