Year 7 Native American Indian Art: Totem Poles and Masks Sculpture Unit

This comprehensive art resource is designed for Year 7 students and explores Native American Indian art, focusing on totem poles and masks. The unit encourages creativity, collaboration, and cultural understanding through engaging, hands-on activities.

What’s Included:

Lesson Presentations:

Lesson 1 & 2: Introduction to Native American Indian masks, focusing on visual analysis skills, including colour, form, and symbolism.
Lesson 3: Exploration of totem poles and animal symbolism, with students choosing an animal for their sculpture.
Lesson 4 & 5: Designing totem pole segments, considering the three-dimensional qualities of their chosen animal.
Lesson 6-8: Constructing totem pole segments using foil, tape, and papier-mâché.
Lesson 9 & 10: Painting totem pole segments using layering and dry brushing techniques to create texture and detail.
Lesson 11: Assembling the class totem pole collaboratively and reflecting on the creative process.

Worksheets and Handouts:

Detailed guidance on analysing Native American Indian masks, including prompts for description, analysis, interpretation, and judgement.
A handout on the symbolic meanings of animals to inform design choices for totem pole segments.

Assessment Opportunities:

Mid-year assessment task focusing on visual analysis of Native American Indian masks.
Success criteria for all tasks (Working Towards, Meeting, Exceeding), enabling differentiated learning.

Creative Outputs:

Students produce a portfolio of work, including mask analyses, totem pole designs, and a collaborative sculpture.

Key Features:

Cultural Exploration: Engages students with Native American traditions, fostering appreciation for diverse artistic practices.
Skill Development: Builds foundational skills in sculpture, painting, and visual analysis.
Collaboration: Encourages teamwork through the creation of a class totem pole.
Differentiated Learning: Includes clear success criteria and extension activities to challenge all abilities.

Why Use This Resource?

Aligns with Key Stage 3 Art & Design curriculum.
Integrates history and cultural studies into art lessons.
Encourages creativity and critical thinking.
Easily adaptable for higher year groups or GCSE preparation.
Bring Native American art and culture to life in your classroom with this engaging and educational resource pack!