Definition:

Respect is acting with kindness, politeness, and consideration of the other, having good manners and treating all things carefully. 

In short:

Value others, honor differences.

Summary:
The Lakotas, native people in North America, have always enjoyed a close relationship with nature. “The Star People” is a Lakota tale about a brother and sister who encounter danger from a wildfire and get separated from their parents as they run away from the fire.  They are consoled when they look up at the stars and see the star people above, the “old ones who once walked on this earth.” The brother and sister fall asleep and dream about the comforting presence of their ancestors and the friendly creatures that live on their land. After a long walk, with the help of their grandmother who lives among the star people, they find their village and their parents. 

Lesson Objectives: 

1. Students will gain appreciation for family members, especially grandparents, or any elders who are wise and comforting, and siblings who support and help them. 
2. Students will be guided to appreciate the Lakota’s closeness to nature, and will discuss how they feel about the natural world, especially its potential to be comforting and a source of wonder and joy. 

Guiding Questions: 

1. The Lakota Indian tribe lived on a prairie. What’s a prairie? If you don’t know, ask someone. 
2. Young Wolf and his sister see images of animals and people in the clouds.  Have you ever seen cloud shapes that remind you of something?
3. Why did the siblings run away far away from home?
4. The Lakotas see something very special in the stars - who are the star people? 
5. What do the brother and sister see in their dreamworld? 
6. Who helps them find their home? 
7. Native Americans like the Lakotas treated nature like you’d treat a good friend, with a lot of love and respect. What can you do to show that you are a good friend to nature? 
8. The brother and sister loved their grandmother and felt comforted when they felt her presence. Do you have grandparents? Who are they and what are some things you do together? 
9. Do you have siblings or cousins? Who are they and are they older or younger than you? 
10. When you look at the stars, do you see any special shapes?