Lesson Plan
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Totem Poles - Storytellers of Long Ago

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders should enjoy these fabulous lessons on Totem Poles created by Native Americans of the Northwest. Learners investigate what totems are, the meaning of their symbols and figures, and how they were made by the Native...
Lesson Plan
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Totem-Pole Treasures

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners research Native American totems and refer to visuals to inspire their own versions of totem animals. They make a striking, 3-dimensional totem pole. Students report to their friends and family why they chose the animals and what...
Lesson Plan
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Indian Village ( Totem Poles)

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students become familiar with Indian culture and why they built totem poles.  In this totem pole instructional activity, students understand that totem were built to keep away evil spirits.  Students create totem pole.
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Whale in the Sky

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students gain a greater understanding of Native Americans and why they build totem poles. They listen to a story and then create a similar story of their own.
Lesson Plan
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Mini Totems

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students create a totem pole in the vain of those made by tribes of British Columbia and Alaska.
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Tell a Totem Story

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study and view pictures of Native American totem poles on the internet. They create totem poles using PowerPoint that represent their family histories using symbols to designate historic events.
Lesson Plan
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Totem Pole and Native American Costume

For Teachers K
Students create a totem pole, Native American costume, and Native American mask. They discuss design elements, view a slideshow, and using various craft materials construct a totem pole with various face designs, a Native American...
Lesson Plan
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American Indians Heritage Series: The Tlingit's

For Teachers K
Students study the Native American culture of the Tlingits and discuss relevant information regarding their way of life. Students create their own musical Tlingit rattles using toilet paper rolls and rice. They make and decorate their...
Unit Plan
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American Indian Art

For Teachers 3rd
Student complete a month-long unit on the symbolic and practical reasons for American Indian artwork. They explore websites, discuss elements of design, create an Indian backpack, Kachina Doll, weaving, sand painting, and totem pole.
Lesson Plan
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Religion and Spirituality in Native Cultures

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders gain an appreciation for the central role that religion and spirituality holds in Native cultures. After researching Totems, 5th graders create their own Totems out of construction paper based on their lives and beliefs.
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What's Behind that Mask?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students use a "spider web" graphic organizer to record information about different types of masks they are familiar with. They write a paragraph about masks. Students read about Native American cultures and compare/contrast the...
Worksheet
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Alaska Challenge

For Students 4th - 5th
For this Alaska worksheet, students complete 10 multiple choice questions about the state of Alaska. A reference web site is given for additional activities.
Lesson Plan
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Struggle of the Black Women

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students complete a family tree. They piece together a quilt that expresses something special about their family. They explore different ways to handle a situation and make the best decision based on information. They rewrite one of the...
Lesson Plan
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Culture in Atlantic Canada

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders discuss the aspects of culture and what makes them unique. In small groups, 9th graders use digital cameras to take photos. Groups use their pictures to create a PowerPoint presentation storyboard of their culture.
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Native American Misconceptions

For Teachers K - 5th
Students use their drawings to explore sterotypes of Native Americans and others.
Lesson Plan
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Impact on Your Essence

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students are introduced to the use of symbolism and how it can change one's view of a piece of art. Using a piece of art, they view it as if they were the artist and create a symbol that accompanies it. They discuss the impact of two-...
Lesson Plan
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History and Artistry

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the ways masks are used in various occupations and cultural ceremonies through readings, a play performance and guest speakers. They create a clay mask and a found art mask using principles of symmetry. After creating...