As apart of our Native American unit
to follow our Wacky Weavings, we learned about the significance of totem poles
and that they were (and still are) made by native tribes who lived in the
Pacific Northwest region of North America. The keys word for this project was
STYLIZE. We learned that some artists
stylize their work by changing shapes, colors, and/or textures, in order to
give their work their own personal touch. Each student created one stylized
animal in the style of a real totem pole.
Before choosing which animal to create, each student read about what the
animals symbolized to the Native Americans of the Northwest, and chose the
animal that best represented themselves.
Each totem pole animal will be combined to create several life size
totem poles exhibited in our school hallways.
Our after school group has been learning about special events in November. When they discovered Native American History is remembered, they were eager to do more crafts to reflect Indian culture. We love this project! It's a conversation piece and allows the children to contribute to a historical element in our world left often unspoken.
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