SUBJECT: Social Studies / Science / English Language Arts
GRADE LEVEL: 3-6
THEME: Indigenous Knowledge, Respect for Nature, Arctic Ecosystems
Join Emma and her new friend, Aputik, in the Arctic as they explore how Inuit communities live closely with nature. Emma learns that hunting geese and wolves isn’t just about survival, it’s about respect, sharing, and using every part of an animal. Listen to discover how traditional knowledge helps people and wildlife live together in balance.
Before Listening
- Activate Prior Knowledge
Ask students:
- What do you know about life in the Arctic?
- How do people there find food and stay warm?
- What do you think ‘respecting nature’ means?
- Have you ever heard about Indigenous ways of living with animals?
Explain that they will learn how Inuit people use traditions to live respectfully with animals. Ask students to think about what it means to live in balance with nature. Discuss how people in different places depend on animals and the land in different ways.
- Key Vocabulary Words
Preview the vocabulary by reading aloud the terms and their definitions.
Focus on the word “respect.” Ask: What does it mean to show respect for animals or the land?
Have students give examples of respectful behavior toward nature, such as recycling, not wasting food, or being careful around wildlife.
- Respect (noun/verb) – Showing care or honor toward something or someone
- Inuit (noun) – Indigenous people who live in the Arctic
- Tradition (noun) – A custom or belief passed down through generations
- Country food (noun) – Traditional foods gathered or hunted from the land, such as fish, geese, or caribou
- Resilient (adjective) – Able to stay strong and recover quickly in hard conditions
- Predator (noun) – An animal that hunts and eats other animals
- Resourceful (adjective) – Using what you have in smart or creative ways to solve problems
- Introduction to the Story
In this episode, Emma travels to Nunavik in northern Canada to learn from her new Inuit friends, Aputik and Lukasi. She discovers that hunting geese and wolves can actually be part of caring for animals and for people. Listen to find out how Inuit traditions connect respect, sharing, and resourcefulness.
- Active listening support:
Introduce the Listening Organizer to the students and explain how to use it as they are listening.
During Listening
Remind students as they listen to write down facts about Inuit life, hunting, or animals on the left side of their chart, and questions or curiosities on the right side.
After Listening
Reflect on the Story
Ask students to respond to the listening comprehension questions and share their responses with a partner, small group, or the whole class.
Listening Comprehension Questions
- Why did Emma travel to Nunavik, and what surprised her when she arrived?
Emma went to Nunavik to learn about animals and how people live in the Arctic. She was surprised to find out that people there hunt geese, because she thought protecting animals meant never hunting them. - How do Inuit hunters show respect for the animals they hunt?
Inuit hunters use every part of the animal, share the food with their community, and never take more than they need. - Why is hunting geese and wolves important for Inuit families and communities?
Hunting gives families healthy food, warm clothing, and a way to pass down traditions and important skills to younger generations. - What are some examples of how Inuit use every part of an animal?
They eat the meat and use feathers and fur for clothing or trade. They even use goose wings to sweep their houses.
Classroom Discussion Questions
Take time for student reflection on the audio story. Use the discussion questions to focus students on how Inuit traditions show respect for animals and the land, and how people and wildlife can live in balance.
- How is Inuit hunting different from what Emma first imagined?
Emma thought hunting hurt animals, but she learned it’s done with care and respect to feed people and protect traditions. - What can we learn from Inuit traditions about respecting nature and animals?
We can learn to use only what we need, to share, and to appreciate where our food and clothing come from. - Why do you think it’s important to learn from Indigenous knowledge and ways of living?
Indigenous people have cared for the land for thousands of years. Their knowledge helps us understand how to live in balance with nature.
Next Step: Open Mind Explorer
In this episode, Emma learned that understanding nature sometimes means seeing it through someone else’s eyes. When she met Aputik and Lukasi, she realized that hunting, which she once thought was only harmful, can also be a way of caring for animals and the land when done with respect.
Students can further connect their learning by drawing themselves learning something new in nature like watching wildlife, trying snowshoeing, planting a garden, or meeting someone who knows a lot about animals. Have students write one sentence about what they discovered by being open-minded.
Learn more about the Earth Rangers Podcast