Creating Totem Poles

Third graders discover the main purpose for totem poles was to communicate with others. In groups, they compare and contrast the four types of totem poles and the various symbols used. They write their own stories based off of pictures...

Students 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...

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.

Students create totem poles based on a Native American story. For this Native American traditions lesson plan, students read a story about Native Americans and create totem poles to represent themselves. 

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.

Students, after researching the history of totem poles, express their team spirit and unique personal style by creating a replica of a traditional totem pole as a get-to-know-you project. They incorporate a teams commonalities and...

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...

Students research cultural heritage. In this cultural heritage lesson, students discuss the influence of culture on the art of quilting and read Aunt Flossie's Hat and Crab Cakes Later. Students read Coat of Many Colors and complete a...

Fifth graders create mini totem poles using paper towel tubes and Crayola Model Magic clay. They explore totem poles of Northwest Coast Indian tribes.

Students create a totem pole in the vain of those made by tribes of British Columbia and Alaska.