Thankful Multi-Tiered Family Totem Pole and Book

The students will learn about the role that totem poles played for the Indians to tell the story of the tribe’s lineage from one ancestor creature to the next. The Native Americans believed that they were descended from different animal species. The students will conceptualize and design their own family tree totem poles by picking out animals that represent their family, drawing and assembling them onto the base of a recycled material – the paper towel roll. They will also use mixed media and found objects to add in the details. They will do this in honor of National Native American Heritage month for November. For the latter part of the project, they will experience how to assemble, write and illustrate a book based on what they are thankful for to honor the meaning of Thanksgiving. A learning objective, subject summary and application in real life, materials needed for each student and the step by step directions needed to create this lesson are all detailed in each of my lesson plans.