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Background

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For many years, Native Americans have shared the story of the 3 sisters and planted their crops using this story. This method is called companion planting. Some plants can grow well together while other plants can actually inhibit the growth of another plant grown close by. In the case of the 3 sisters, the corn helps support the pole beans grow up towards the sun. The pole bean is a legume that fixes nitrogen in the soil. The squash grows around the corn and bean plant. Squash are a little prickly and help prevent predators from eating the corn. Additionally, since the squash is a ground cover, it helps keep the sunlight away from the soil. This helps in two ways. It helps keep in the moisture as well as blocks sunlight which prevents weeds from growing.

Vocabulary

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Companion planting: Growing different plants in close proximity so they can help each other grow. Over the years, growers have found that some combination of plants can have a positive affect on plants.

Attention Grabber

Share the story of The Three Sisters with the students (Download Materials).

Garden Activity   

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After reading the story of The Three Sisters to the class:   

• Discuss the companion planting method as a class.  Explain how plants have special qualities that help them grow.  Raspberries have thorns to help them survive.  A cactus plant has spines. “What other plants have companions?”  Rosemary repels cabbage fly (a pest to cabbage) and marigolds will deter beetles that infect tomatoes.  (See appendix for a full list of companion planting)

• Each of the three sisters serves an important role. The corn is planted in rows.  Squash (or pumpkins) should be planted between the corns.  The squash prevents water loss and reduces the temperature because it covers the ground with its foliage.  These long, low, prickly vines also prevent weeds from growing and predators from eating the corn.  After the corn has grown to be about 6 inches tall, beans can be planted next to the stalks.  Beans need support when they grow, using their tendrils to climb up the stalk to get sunlight.  In turn, the beans help the corn grow by binding an important nutrient, nitrogen, from the air into the soil.     

Wrap Up 

• After reading the story of the 3 sisters, ask the students which sister do they think would represent the bean/ squash/ corn. Have students explain how they help each other. How was this helpful to the Native Americans?

What's Next?

• Combine this lesson with Native American Studies.  This is a great way to engage students in the culture they are learning.

Download Materials

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Lesson Materials

The Three Sisters Story