personal totem pole assignment

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Deep Imagery

A little background….

information about deep imagery

DEEP IMAGERY & THE PERSONAL TOTEM POLE PROCESS

The Personal Totem Pole Process©, a unique method of active imagery, is a means of accessing the deep imagination developed by Dr Eligio Stephen Gallegos.

The method was original named the Personal Totem Pole Process™ but as the work developed, the term “Deep Imagery™” came to be used more frequently.

The term “Deep Imagery” underscores the essential nature of the work:  this method of working with the imagination allows us to experience a deep knowing about our innermost self . It reveals our own deep inner processes in a way that is accessible. Through working with the deep imagination, we develop relationships with our many alivenesses and so move more and more towards experiencing our own wholeness.

Deep Imagery™ and the Personal Totem Pole Process™ has been described as a unique blend of

• the theory of active imagination  which was developed by Dr. C. G. Jung
• the Eastern theoretical orientation which understands the human being as a system of interrelated energies or chakras,
• and the Native American practice of speaking to and learning from the animals.

PTPP™ AND DEEP IMAGERY™ JOURNEYS

A Deep Imagery or PTPP® journey involves an open ended engagement  with the deeper levels of the imagination, where the  imagination itself is active. It allows the journeyer explore aspects of their consciousness through building a relationship with their own deep imagination. Because the activity of imagining is in the moment, alive, the PTPP™ does not involve learning preconceived ideas about either the path a journey needs to follow or its outcome. The work is about the present moment experience of the person undertaking the journey. The goal of PTPP™ is ultimately to help the person regain the central positions of aliveness, wholeness and balance in themselves.

Totem Pole Creation Assignment

Totem Pole Creation

You are being asked to design and create your own personal Totem Pole. The purpose of the Totem Pole was to show the importance of the totem animal to the builder as well as other important symbols and images in their life.

For YOUR Totem Pole…

Choose THREE (3) symbols , which MUST be Animals, and create your personal pole. Make sure you place the symbols in an order that makes sense to you….top to bottom OR bottom to top.

Think about the intricacy of the carving… While this is NOT an art class, I DO expect that you will put some time into the creation of your Totem image. This is an important and meaningful symbol to many people, so treat it with the respect you would want them to give to YOUR important symbols.

FINALLY…you must write me a bulleted list explaining your Totem and its symbols. Answer the following: A) What do they mean? (Reference sheet.) B) Why did you choose those specific symbols? What is the importance and connection to your each animal? C) Why are the symbols in the order they are in? Do this on a separate sheet or on the back of your poster.

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Animal imagery and the Personal Totem Pole Process®

DOI link for Animal imagery and the Personal Totem Pole Process®

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The theoretical underpinning of the Personal Totem Pole ® process involves the assumption that each human being is primarily an awareness. This awareness, in order to function optimally, needs to have full input from all modes of knowing. There are four modes of knowing: thinking, sensing, feeling, and imagery. Each of these modes of knowing is unique in itself and is not reducible to any of the other three. The natural state of these modes of knowing is to function in harmony with one another.

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The Personal Totem Pole Process: Animal Imagery, The Chakras and Psychotherapy Paperback – February 10, 2012

• Print length 248 pages
• Language English
• Publication date February 10, 2012
• Dimensions 5.5 x 0.56 x 8.5 inches
• ISBN-10 0944164099
• ISBN-13 978-0944164099
• See all details

Editorial Reviews

About the author, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Moon Bear Press; 3rd edition (February 10, 2012)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 248 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0944164099
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0944164099
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.6 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.56 x 8.5 inches
• #1,343 in Chakras (Books)
• #2,708 in Popular Psychology Psychotherapy
• #29,082 in Personal Transformation Self-Help

About the authors

Eligio stephen gallegos.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Steve Gallegos was born the state of New Mexico in the southwestern United States in 1934. Of Native American, English and Irish descent, Steve was raised in the local Hispanic culture speaking both English and Spanish. A gifted craftsman he was involved in woodcarving, leatherwork, silverwork, and drawing and painting from an early age and greatly disliked the confinement and regimentation of school even though he was a intellectually gifted student.

After military service, he completed his Ph.D. in Psychology at Florida State University. After fourteen years as chairman of the Psychology Deptartment in Macon, GA, Steve undertook a residency in psychotherapy in the State of Oregon and became a practicing psychotherapist.

While in Oregon, Steve underwent a spiritual experience that changed him profoundly. This experience is described in The Personal Totem Pole Process (ISBN 9780944164099). He describes the experience as “spontaneously meeting the alivenesses that were rooted in my energy centers and that presented themselves primarily as animals, but they had to be approached through the knowing of the deep imagination. I realized that the teacher I had sought for my entire life was in fact deep within my imagination and had always been there.”

Since then, introducing people to their own inner animals and the rediscovery of the wisdom of the imagination, has been his path in life. At present he is primarily engaged in offering workshops and in training others in the exploration of the deep imagination in the United States, Ireland, Germany, Austria, France, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Macedonia, Portugal, and Australia.

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21 Teachable Totem Pole Activities

• Art Education

Teachable totem pole activities are interactive and creative ways to teach children about the indigenous art form, culture, and history. Incorporate these 21 exciting activities into your lesson plan to engage students in a fun and meaningful learning experience.

1. Totem Pole Research: Start by introducing students to the concept of totem poles. Share resources, such as books, videos, and images, that display a variety of totem poles from different indigenous cultures.

2. Storytelling: Teach students about the importance of storytelling in indigenous cultures. Encourage them to create their own short stories based on the meanings behind various totem pole figures.

3. Totem Pole Design: Have students design their own totem poles using pencil and paper or digital tools.

4. Clay Sculptures: Provide students with clay, and allow them to sculpt their own small-scale totem poles.

5. Paper Roll Totem Poles: Guide students in crafting miniature totem poles using paper rolls, paint, and markers.

6. Totem Animal Exploration: Teach students about the various animals typically represented on totem poles, such as eagles, bears, and wolves. Discuss their cultural significance and symbolism.

7. Puzzle Challenge: Create a totem pole puzzle with interchangeable parts for students to mix and match different figures.

8. Totem Pole Rubbings: Make rubbings of embossed or carved surfaces that depict traditional totem pole designs, providing hands-on understanding of texture and detail.

9. Matching Game: Develop a game where students match each animal figure with its symbolic meaning or story.

10. Collaborative Classroom Totem Pole: Assign each student a specific animal figure or symbol to create collaboratively on a large-scale classroom totem pole display.

11. Field Trip: Organize a field trip for your class to visit local examples of indigenous art or museums displaying authentic totem poles.

12. Guest Speakers: Invite indigenous community members or artists to discuss their culture and the history of totem poles.

13. Documentary Discussion: Watch documentaries about totem poles, followed by facilitated discussions.

14. Totem Pole Museum: Set up a temporary classroom museum showcasing students’ totem pole creations and other indigenous artifacts.

15. Coloring Pages: Provide printable coloring pages of totem poles for young learners who may be more comfortable with pre-designed templates.

16. Totem Pole Skit: Encourage groups of students to act out stories inspired by their researched totem pole figures.

17. Cultural Connections: Discuss similar elements found in other world art forms, fostering cross-cultural appreciation and understanding.

18. Tracing Family History: Assign students a project where they research their own family histories, connecting personal stories to the concept of storytelling through art.

19. Creative Writing Prompts: Use images or descriptions of totem poles as creative writing prompts for students to develop original stories.

20. Totem Pole Legends and Tales: Share traditional indigenous legends and tales involving totem poles or animal figures from various cultures.

21. Reflection and Sharing Activity: Have students write a reflection on what they have learned about totem poles, as well as share their thoughts in a group discussion format.

Incorporating these 21 teachable totem pole activities will not only provide an engaging learning experience but also help students develop an appreciation for indigenous art and culture.

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Totem Pole Maker - Online

This fun activity allows students to make their own totem poles with associated meanings. Each totem pole has five symbols. These print out beautifully with the totem pole and symbolism descriptions. These take students less than five minutes to complete. PRINTING BUG FIXED.

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Totem Pole Design: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

June 8th, 2023

Introduction

Totem poles are an integral part of the indigenous culture of North America. They are tall, carved wooden poles that depict different types of animals and creatures that hold a special significance in the culture of native tribes. In this guide, we will explore everything that there is to know about Totem Pole Design and how you can create your own Totem Pole designs from scratch.

History and Significance of Totem Poles

Totem poles date back to the 18th century and were used by the indigenous cultures of North America to depict various aspects of their traditions and histories. They were often used as a means of communication between tribes, and a way to commemorate important events and rituals. Totem poles were also believed to hold spiritual powers and were used to invoke different spirits, protect villages, and pay homage to ancestors.

Preparing Before You Begin

Before you start carving your Totem Pole, you need to make sure that you have all the necessary tools and materials. You will need a set of wood carving tools, a wooden dowel or log, sandpaper, a pencil, and a design plan. You can also use a wood-burning tool to add depth and texture to your carvings.

Designing Your Totem Pole

The first step in designing your Totem Pole is to select the type of animal or creature that you want to depict. Traditionally, Totem poles depicted animals like eagles, bears, wolves, and whales. Each animal has a unique meaning and significance in the culture of native tribes, so it's important to do your research before you start. Once you have selected your animal, you can start creating a rough sketch of your design.

Carving Techniques

There are several different techniques that you can use to carve your Totem Pole. Some of these techniques include:

- Relief carving: This technique involves carving away the wood around the design to create a raised image. - Deep relief carving: This technique involves carving deep into the wood, creating a multi-dimensional effect. - Chip carving: This technique involves using a chisel to remove small chips of wood from the surface of the Totem Pole.

Once you have chosen your technique, you can start carving your design into the wood. Make sure to start with the larger features first and work your way to the smaller details.

Finishing Your Totem Pole

After you have finished carving your Totem Pole, you will need to sand it down to remove any rough edges or bumps. You can also add a coat of paint or varnish to protect your Totem Pole and make it stand out.

Totem Pole Design is a fascinating and complex art form that has been a part of the indigenous cultures of North America for centuries. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create your own unique Totem Pole designs and pay homage to the rich cultural history of the native tribes. Remember to do your research, take your time, and enjoy the process of creating something truly special.

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21 Teachable Totem Pole Activities

February 15, 2023 //  by  Brittney Hallmark

Totem pole activities are a great addition to any Native American unit and a great introduction to cultures that students may not yet be familiar with.  These teaching resources are a wonderful way to include creativity and artistic freedom in your lessons. Blend your history and art lessons together to provide meaningful instruction and enhance student engagement in your next Native American unit. Check out these 21 fun totem pole projects and activities!

1. Carved Wooden Totem Pole 

This fun project will require supervision. Students can carve their own designs and create their own totem crafts. As students learn the history of totem poles, they can choose what designs or which animals to include in their detailed totem pole project. They can later add colors with paint or markers. 

Learn More: ehow

2. Paper Towel Totem Pole Craft

A simple and easy totem pole using a tall paper towel tube is a fun project for your elementary school students. Let them create their design plans and then put together their Native American totem pole craft. These can be made using construction paper and glue. 

Learn More: Educatall.com

3. Mini Totem Pole

Recycle small containers to build a mini totem pole craft. Simply stack a few containers and cover them in paper or paint. Students can use totem pole symbols or animal totem meanings to design their mini totem poles. This will help them understand the meaning and history of totem poles. 

Learn More: Education.com

4. Log Totem Pole

This totem pole activity is pretty cheap and simple to make. Find logs outside to use in the creation of this Native American totem pole activity. Students can paint the logs, including animal totem meanings or totem pole symbols, to create this fun activity. 

Learn More: All Free Kids Crafts

5. Totem Pole Bookmark 

Using paper to craft a totem pole bookmark is another great way to get students’ creative energy flowing. A perfect addition to a Native American culture lesson, this bookmark will allow students to make their own totem pole using paper and colored pencils. They can add words to the middle or draw pictures. 

Learn More: Native Americans

6. Coffee Can Totem Pole 

Recycle old coffee cans for this Native American totem pole activity. You can paint them first and then later add additional details and features. Add paper wings and tails to create the animals. You can even add eyes, noses, and whiskers to the faces. Attach the coffee cans together using a hot glue gun. 

Learn More: The Crafty Crow

7. Recycled Totem Poles

A perfect addition to Native American heritage month, these recycled totem pole projects will be a beautiful addition to your unit. Students can do this at home to create a family totem pole project and this will help bridge the school-to-home connection. They can repurpose recycled items to create their Native American totem poles. 

Learn More: Recycled Crafts

8. Printable Totem Animal Templates

This Native American totem pole craft is a pre-made printable. Simply print in color or let the students color it in. Then, put them together to form this adorable, all-paper totem pole. Students could add beads or feathers for additional pizazz. 

Learn More: Pinterest

9. Stuffed Paper Bag Totem Poles

Collect brown paper bags to recycle for this project. Each student could create one piece of a bigger totem pole and the pieces can be put together and assembled against the wall. This will be a perfect collaborative project for Native American Heritage Month.

Learn More: Minds in Bloom

10. Virtual Field Trip 

Take a virtual field trip and explore the Native American Totem Poles of the Pacific Northwest. This activity is ideal for teaching fourth to sixth-grade students about Native American tribes and different types of totem poles. They will be able to see details of animal designs up close. 

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

11. Drawing Totem Poles

This activity requires students to do some reading about totem poles first. After that, students can design their own totem poles. They can sketch it out on paper first. Later, they can build it or draw it on heavier paper with oil pastels and use many different colors. 

12. Totem Pole Poster

While learning about Native American Heritage Month, invite students to create their own personal totem poles. As they learn about fascinating tribes, they will begin to understand the meaning of totem poles and their designs. Students can choose animals and have a chance to explain why they chose each piece and build a totem on paper. 

Learn More: Really Good Stuff

13. Printable Totem Pole Template 

This printable totem craft is great for younger students. They can use these on a tall paper towel tube or simply build it on paper. If built on paper, there is a 3-dimensional aspect that will help this totem pole stand out a bit. 

Learn More: Google

14. Totem Pole Cards

There is no shortage of baseball or trading cards in childhood classrooms. Use some to build a totem pole art project. You could also use cardstock paper cut into this size. Paint each piece and put them together to form a striking totem pole craft. 

Learn More: Bloglovin’

15. Cardboard Animal Totem Pole 

Combine art and history to create an educational event to showcase Native American art tributes, like these totally recycled animal totem poles. Save boxes and wrap them in old newspapers. Cut additional features out of recycled cardboard to make eyes, noses, beaks, and wings. Add the cut-outs to your boxes to form animals. 

Learn More: ARTiFun

16. Animal Totem Pole 

Let students use small boxes to create individual animal faces. They can then add some animal facts and information to go alongside the animal faces. Have students work together to put the pieces on top of each other to form a large totem pole. 

17. Seven-Foot Totem Pole

This giant totem pole is a fun project for the whole class to collaborate on. You can use this project to help foster a healthy classroom climate as students work together. Each student can design their own piece of the totem pole using a printable that can be colored. Students will love seeing this totem pole grow into a 7-foot structure as you put it together. 

18. Totem Pole and Writing Activity

This educational resource is a great way to combine writing and artwork. Add some literature to your Native American unit study so that students can learn more about totem poles and aspects of culture. Let them design and color the printable. Then, have students complete the writing to describe why they choose to design it the way they did. 

Learn More: The Art of Learning

19. Toilet Paper Totem Poles

This totem pole craft is a three-part activity. Use three separate toilet paper tubes to create three tiny totem poles. Then, attach all three on top of each other to form a series of three parts. These are simple and easy to make and are sure to make a fun Native American project. 

Learn More: Kitchen Counter Chronicles

20. Colorful Totem Poles

For this Native American totem pole project, let the colors flow freely! Have plenty of toilet paper tubes or paper towel rolls and lots of colorful paper, feathers, and craft sticks at the ready. Give students a glue stick and let them get creative! 

Learn More: It is Art Day

21. Paper Cup Totem Pole

Making this paper cup totem pole is simple and will allow for plenty of student choice and creativity! it’s perfect for older students who possess good fine motor control. Let students use colorful markers to draw intricate details to represent beautiful poles. 

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Make Your Own Totem Pole Craft

What is a totem pole?

A totem is an emblem of a family or clan. This emblem can feature a natural object, an animal or a spirit being.

A totem pole is a monument of a single log of red cedar that is carved by First Nations peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast. A pole includes an arrangement of several totems.

What is it used for?

A totem pole can be used for different purposes: to welcome visitors, as a memorial for important members of the tribe, as a tomb or headstone, to celebrate a special occasion, or as a supporting column inside houses.

What figures are displayed on a totem pole?

A totem pole typically features symbolic and stylized human, animal, and supernatural forms. They are visual representations of family stories and ancestry. Families acquire the rights to display specific figures, or crests, over many generations. These crests can be acquired through supernatural encounters that ancestors had and were handed down to their descendants, through marriage, or in a potlatch . A potlatch was a ceremony to mark important life events, including the new use of a family crest.

Some common figures are:

Human figures —chief

Sky elements —sun, moon

Animals of the forest and mountains —bear, wolf

Sea beings —seal, whale, salmon

Sky beings —eagle, raven, wolf

Supernatural —Thunderbird, Sisiutl  (double-headed serpent)

Sisiutl , a double-headed serpent, one of the many crests of the Hunt family.

Henry Hunt totem pole at Sunnylands. (Click to expand)

How are they designed?

Figures are characterized by two elements:

1. Formline A combination of thin and thick lines that help to divide figures and structure the design.

2. Basic colors Black —Used for the formline Red —Adds detail Blue-green —Used as a tertiary to help distinguish between multiple figures.

However, styles can vary by clan, and other colors like brown, white, green, and yellow are sometimes used.

All figures face the center front, because this is the point of visual interest of the totem.

Make your own

If you were making a totem pole to tell a story about your family, what figures would you display on it?

Think about some of the qualities or features of the family members you want to include. Is there an animal that embodies those qualities? Or can you invent a special character? How would you represent them?

All you need: Cardboard tube, markers, colored paper, scissors, glue, and other recycled materials.

Here are some examples of standard representations you can use as inspiration:

Human figures

– Compressed or seated position

– Head, features, torso, arms and legs, represented

– Torso upright, arms fall straight

– Face with eyebrows, eyes, nose, and mouth

– With or without adornment (cloak, hat, ring)

– Seated position, facing center front

– Wings and beaks are essential

– Wings either forced or extended

– Feathers indicated by texture and contrasting colors

Instructions

1. Think about how many family members you want to include in your totem pole. This will help you determine the proportions of each character and how your totem pole will be divided.

2. Use the markers to draw the main features of your character on a piece of paper. You can use colored paper or add color later using markers.

3. Cut your figures and glue them to the totem pole.

Glossary of some of the terms used in this activity

Clan —A large family, a group of people of common descent, or a group of close-knit, interrelated families.

Crest —An emblem or formal design used as a symbol to represent a family, town, group, or organization. For many tribes of the Pacific Northwest Coast, the crest emblem represents an entity with which the clan claims a significant relationship.

Potlatch —A ceremony to commemorate important events in the host’s life such as marriage, the birth and naming of a child, mourning the dead, a new social rank, and the transfer of rights. These ceremonies often included many guests, speechmaking, feasting, gift giving, and dance performances.

Tertiary —Third in order. In art, it refers to the colors created by mixing the primary and secondary colors in various ways. Primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. Secondary colors are green, orange, and purple.

Reach for the Sky: Tradition + Inspiration— Access the catalog of the exhibition, photos, and a coloring page of a traditional Northwest Coast Symbol. https://sunnylands.org/on-view-reach-for-the-sky /

Book: If You Lived With The Indians Of The Northwest Coast by Anne Kamma.

Book: Kwakiutl Art by Audrey Hawthorn

Here are some links to help you explore more about this topic

Biographies of members of the Hunt family:

Henry Hunt— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Hunt_(artist )

Stanley C. Hunt— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_C._ Hunt

Museums that care for collections that include art and artifacts from the Pacific Northwest Coast

The Royal BC Museum in Victoria, British Columbia— https ://www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca /

National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.— https://americanindian.si.edu /

Burke Museum in Seattle, Washington— https://www.burkemuseum.org /

Click below for the downloadable PDF

¿Qué es un tótem?

Un t ó tem es un emblema de una familia o tribu. Este emblema puede incluir un objeto natural, un animal o un espíritu.

La palabra tótem también se utiliza para referirse al monumento producido de un solo tronco de cedro rojo tallado por los pueblos de las Naciones Originarias de la Costa noroeste del Pacífico.

¿ Para qu é se utiliza?

Un tótem se puede usar para diferentes propósitos: para dar la bienvenida a visitantes, como monumento conmemorativo de miembros importantes de la tribu, como una tumba o lápida, para celebrar una ocasión especial, o como columna de soporte dentro de las casas.

¿ Qu é figuras se muestran en un t ó tem?

Un tótem generalmente presenta formas simbólicas y estilizadas de humanos, animales y figuras sobrenaturales. Son representaciones visuales de historias familiares y de linaje. Las familias adquieren los derechos para exhibir figuras especificas, o crestas, durante muchas generaciones. Estas crestas se adquieren a través de encuentros sobrenaturales que tuvieron los ancestros y los transmitieron a sus descendientes, a través del matrimonio o en un potlatch. Un potlatch es una ceremonia para marcar eventos importantes, incluyendo el nuevo uso de una cresta familiar.

Algunas figuras communes son:

Figuras humanas —jefe

Elementos celestiasles —sol, luna

Animales del bosque y la montaña —oso, lobo

Seres marinos —foca, ballena, salmón

Seres celestials —águila, cuervo, búho

Sobrenaturales —Thunderbird, Sisiutl  (serpiente de doble cabeza)

Sisiutl , serpiente con doble cabeza, una de muchas crestas de la familia Hunt.

Tótem de Henry Hunt en Sunnylands (Haga clic para ampliar)

¿Cómo están diseñados?

Las figuras se caracterizan por dos elementos:

1. Formline Una combinación de líneas finas y gruesas que ayudan a dividir figuras y estructurar el diseño.

2. Colores b á sicos Negro —Usado para el formline Rojo —Agrega detalles Azul-verdoso —Usado como terciario para distinguir entre múltiples figuras

Sin embargo, los estilos pueden variar según el clan y a veces se usan otros colores como el marrón, blanco, verde y amarillo.

Todas las figuras miran hacia el frente central, porque este es el punto de mayor interés visual del tótem.

Crea tu propio t ó tem

Si fueras a hacer un tótem para contar una historia sobre tu familia, ¿qué figuras mostrarías en él?

Piensa en algunas de las cualidades o rasgos de los miembros de tu familia que deseas representar. ¿Hay algún animal que encarne esas cualidades? ¿O puedes inventar un personaje especial? ¿Cómo los representarías?

Solo necesitas: Tubo de cartón, marcadores, papel de colores, tijeras, pegamento y otros materiales reciclados.

Algunos ejemplos de representaciones comunes que puedes usar como inspiración:

Figuras humanas

– Posición comprimida o sentada

– Cabeza, rasgos, torso, brazos y piernas representadas

– Torso erguido, brazos caídos

– Cara con cejas, ojos, nariz y boca

– Con o sin adorno  (capa, gorro, anillo)

– Posición sentada, mirando hacia el frente

– Picos y alas son esenciales

– Alas dobladas o extendidas

– Plumas definidas por textura y colores contrastantes

Instrucciones

1. Piensa en cuantos miembros de tu familia quieres incluir en tu tótem. Esto te ayudará a determinar las proporciones de cada personaje y cómo se dividirá tu tótem.

2. Utiliza los marcadores para dibujar las características principales de tu personaje en una hoja de papel. Puedes usar papel de colores o agregar color más tarde usando los marcadores.

3. Corta tus figuras y pégalas al tótem.

Glosario de algunos de los t é rminos utilizados en esta actividad

Clan —Una familia numerosa, un grupo de personas de ascendencia común o un grupo de familias muy unidas e interrelacionadas.

Cresta —Un emblema o diseño formal utilizado como símbolo para representar una familia, pueblo, grupo u organización. Para muchas tribus de la costa noroeste del Pacífico, la cresta representa una entidad con la cual el clan afirma tener una relación significativa.

Potlatch —Una ceremonia para conmemorar eventos importantes en la vida del anfitrión, tales como un matrimonio, el nacimiento y nombramiento de un niño, el duelo de un fallecido, un nuevo rango social y la transferencia de derechos. Estas ceremonias a menudo incluían muchos invitados, discursos, banquetes, regalos y presentaciones de baile.

Terciario —Tercero en orden. En el arte, se refiere a los colores creados al mezclar los colores primarios y secundarios de varias maneras. Los colores primarios son rojo, azul y amarillo. Los colores secundarios son verde, anaranjado y morado.

Alcanzando el cielo: Tradici ó n + inspiraci ó n— Accede el catálogo de la exhibición, fotos y una página de colorear de un símbolo tradicional del la costa Noroeste. http ://sunnylands.org/on-view-reach-for-the-sky /

Libro: If You Lived With The Indians O f The Northwest Coast por Anne Kamma.

Libro: Kwakiutl Art por Audrey Hawthorn

A continuación algunos enlaces para ayudarte a explorar más sobre este tema

Biografías de miembros de la familia Hunt:

Henry Hunt— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Hunt_(artist)

Stanley C. Hunt— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_C._Hunt

Museos que custodian colecciones que incluyen arte y artefactos de la costa Noroeste del Pacífico

Museo Real de la Columbia Británica, Victoria— https://www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/

Museo Nacional del Indio Americano en Washington, D.C.— https://americanindian.si.edu/

Museo Burke en Seattle, Washington— https://www.burkemuseum.org/

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Our Totem Pole Lesson Plan

Academic standards, reading objective:.

Children will examine a Native American tradition and sequence the steps of making a totem pole.

Social Studies Focus:

Ela skills:.

key details, vocabulary, sequencing, nonfiction text features

Page 4 Skill:

read a diagram

Vocabulary:

totem pole, tradition, Tsimshian, community

SL.2.3, RI.2.1, RI.2.3, RI.2.4, RI.2.5, RI.2.10

Guided Reading Level: 

Lexile level: , 1. preview the issue.

Provide students with some background on Tain, his people, and the tradition of making totem poles.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video "Welcome to Tain's World." After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

• What is the most interesting thing you learned about Tain?

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow . This issue’s featured words are  totem pole, tradition, Tsimshian , and community .

2. Read the issue.

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

• Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. How do kids think a totem pole is made?
• Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about the steps it takes to make a totem pole.” Encourage children to think about this prompt as they read.

Read together (20 min.)

Pass out the Read and Think printable. Use it to check comprehension as you read the issue together, pausing to ask the questions. 

Assessment: Reading Quiz 

Pass out the Reading Quiz to review key concepts from the issue and assess students’ proficiency on key nonfiction reading skills.

3. Play the online game.

• Use the online game show to gauge comprehension and reinforce the issue’s content. Students can play by themselves or in teams. For each question they answer correctly, they win a point.

4. Focus on ELA Skills

You can use our printable worksheets to focus on important ELA skills. Here’s how.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

• Use the Word Work printable to deepen students’ understanding of the words  totem pole, tradition, Tsimshian, and community .

Editor’s Pick: Sequencing  (15 min.)

• The From Start to Finish skill sheet has children use information from the issue to write out the steps of creating a totem pole.

ELA Focus: Nonfiction Text Features  (15 min.)

• The Text-Feature Hunt skill sheet is a fun way to brush up on nonfiction text features.

Differentiation Station

You can find a higher-Lexile-level and a lower-Lexile-level version of the article online here :

• Higher-Lexile level: 530L
• Lower-Lexile level: 440L

• May 20 The senior class party is on May 31 following graduation
• May 20 2025 senior class officers were announced
• May 20 The Nate's Honey gallery is on May 21
• May 20 Career Panel for seniors is tomorrow during 6th hour

The Lantern

Personal totems.

The 6th grade reading class designed totem poles to serve as a personal representation.

Elliot Iverson , Torch writer | April 11, 2023

Missy Klapperich

Kylie Sindt and Kinzley Rezac display the totem poles they created for reading class

Anya Nygaard was thinking about what animals represented her. Then she realized that a badger represents her so well. The badgers represent her because it represents being bold and outgoing. She is not afraid of being her. Later she thought of the deer and the dog. The students had an assignment to make a totem pole for reading class.

Totem poles are the Native Americans way of showing others their story or the story of their ancestors. They can also tell how different natural things happen and why in their culture. But in a 6th grade reading class they were made to represent their classmates.

What teacher has as much joy in doing crafts with her students as Missy Klapprich. She is always getting new ideas for crafts, but where did she get the idea for totem poles? She got the idea from her parents. She said this when asked where the idea came from, “They went on an Alaskan cruise and saw a lot of real totem poles.  Then, they found a small totem pole in a gift shop that they brought home for me. I decided it would be fun for kids to make their own!” Also she thinks it would be good for the students to learn the history of the Native American culture.

Totem poles originated on the west coast where Native Americans made them by carving animals into red cedar trees. They made them tell stories, history, or what clan they are in. Some totem poles are really important because they tell of ancestors. They made them out of cedar wood, so then the totem poles would decay over time; because of that the oldest totem poles have since rotted. Although the old ones have rotted away the students can still make their own to tell their story.

It was also the end project of a book they were reading in reading class. Every year Mrs. Klapperich passes by totem poles on her way to Lake Of The Woods which is where she goes to fish. She got inspired by them and decided to do a project with her students. She’s been doing it for a few years though she doesn’t do it every year. She only does it when time and circumstances allow her to. Each year the students amaze her with their creativeness. 

The students also had lots of fun making them too. Students were asked what their favorite part was. Some of them said it was seeing it when it was done. When asked the same question Kinzly Rezac said “spending time with my dad and painting my totem pole.” Lots of people think that the animals represent them and everyone had some fun.

So how did they make them? Some people made them out of wood or clay. Some of the more unique items are cardboard, recycled material, and drawing it. How they made them might be more complicated. Some people carved them out of wood as the Native Americans did. Others did not want to take so much time or did not have the proper tools so they molded theirs out of clay or made them out of recycled material. But there are some talented artists in the class and they drew theirs which turned out beautiful.

The project was a great success. In the end Anya got a 40/40 grade on her totem pole. She burned her totem pole on wood cookies. The other ones were magnificent like the one made of socks. Others were made of recycled material  and they were the coolest ones because they used other materials throughout.

Hi, my name is Ellie. I'm a 7th grader and this is my second year in the torch. I"m in the musical, math league, and doing speech this spring. I like...