Skip to main content

We Decorate Our World - Totem Tales



We have begun our new unit exploring decorations from some First Nations' cultures and how these decorations tell us a story that helps us connect with one another.  Traditionally, totem poles are found in the Pacific Northwest and are used to commemorate an event, represent family lineage and/or history.  If you are interested in  learning more about totem poles, this link has great information.  http://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/home/culture/totem-poles.html

Before we could begin learning about totem poles, I asked if the children knew what they were. Many have seen the totem poles situated at Stanley Park.  We looked at pictures and  discussed what the totem poles are made of and what they could mean. Most of the children felt the totems were decorations except for the ones that were not very colourful.

We read the story "Totem Tales" by Deb Vanasse.  It is an Alaskan story of how a totem pole comes to life and the figures have to reassemble in proper order before daybreak. For the totem figures to reassemble, they need to recall the story of how they are connected to one another. After the story, the children made their own totem either depicting the story or a totem representing their family.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Similarities and Differences Between Friends

We are nearing the end of this unit of inquiry.  Next week is already our summative week. Our focus this week was likes/dislikes: do we have to like the same things as our friends?  I asked this question to the children.  All of the children said yes except Rocco. Rocco said "friends don't have to do the same things." "Do we have to like the same things as our friends?" Using the book, Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley (the story of two great friends), we listed the traits of each character.. The children found out that Pearl and Charlie were complete opposites yet were the best of friends. I asked the question again.  Esme and Simone changed their response. Simone replied that "that friends don't have to do the same things but sometimes we do." We wrapped up by making "Wanted: Friends" posters.  Some of the qualities listed on the posters were: Rocco: caring Simone: someone who is nice Alfie: play with me Bela: someone wi...
4 comments
Read more

Storm Drains: How we impact water.

The car wash The clean creek Today we explored where water goes when it enters a storm drain and the impact we have on what flows into these drains. The children experimented with different types of utensils at the water table. The children were able to see how water passes freely through the different openings and how other items can also pass through.  We used these utensils to recreate how storm drains work. We created a creek and watched what happened to the creek when different types of pollutants pass through the storm drain. We also simulated washing cars.  The children noted that the soap goes down the drain with the water. "Oh no, are fish will be sick!" commented Sofia.  Simone thought we could give the fish medicine to get better. This started a conversation on how difficult it would be to give medicine to all of the fish in all of the creeks!! The children noticed how dirty the water was and that living things would not survive in our p...
3 comments
Read more

Helping Hands

Through different stories, we have been discussing the qualities of a friend.  The one quality that the children unanimously agreed upon is that friends help one another.  In the story, The Little Red Hen, the Hen did all of the work by herself.  The children thought that the Dog, Cat and Goose were not good friends because every time the Hen asked for help, they refused.  Before we reached the end of the story, I asked the children if Hen should share her bread.  There were mixed responses however, the majority of the children thought Hen should share.  Louis' first response was to not share but he quickly changed his mind and said "sharing is caring!" This coming week, the children have asked to make bread and share it with the entire class. "I hug my friend when he is sad." "I blow up a balloon for my friend, Amalia, when she pops her." "I help my friends when they fall." "I help carry stuff for my friends." ...
3 comments
Read more