Native American Craft: Family Totem Pole Project

Family Totem Pole Social Studies Project:

This family totem pole project is a great way for students to understand that totem poles are monuments created by First Nations of the Pacific Northwest to represent and commemorate ancestry, history, people, or events.

Project steps:

1. Students read about the totem pole symbols used by the Pacific Northwest Native Americans.

2. The students choose totem pole symbols from the list provided that represent their family members. Please note that this is not a color-and-paste project with pre-made symbols. The students are given the meanings of the symbols, and they draw their own.

3. Students then add the symbols to the paper towel tube to make a totem pole with the symbols they chose to represent their family.

4. Using the lined paper provided, students write a paragraph (or two) explaining the symbols and why they chose them.

I usually have students complete the project at home with common household materials like a paper towel tube, construction paper, glue, and markers/crayons. They love to bring them to school and take turns sharing the symbols they choose for their family and why they chose them.

This is a low-prep activity for the teacher. Just add the due date to the student direction sheet, print the sheets, go over the directions, and you are ready to go!

The finished product makes a colorful display for parent nights!

Includes everything you need:

• Student directions
• Explanation of the totem pole symbols
• Picture examples of finished projects
• Writing Paper
• Grading Rubric

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Sarah B says: "This was such a cool project to do with my students and went right along with our Native American unit. I received excellent feedback from the students and parents. It's going to a project for years to come! Thank you!"

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Tiffany N says: "This was an awesome culminating project for my students! They really did a great job and I didn't have to change anything in the directions or modify it in any way. The Totem Poles that I received were beautiful and this resource was aligned perfectly for our Native American Unit!"

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dawn n. says: "Great resource for our Night At the Museum family project!"

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