Native Americans
have a colorful history.
Elementary school students learn about Native Americans in the latter part of elementary school. As of 2002, there were 562 federally recognized tribal entities in the United States with various traditions and histories students can learn about. There are tribes in every state of the union. Consider contacting a tribal association near you or in another state to begin a pen-pal program between your class and a class of Native American children.
Iroquois Mask
The Iroquois used feathers to decorate their masks and headdresses.
The Iroquois are also known as Haudenosaunee or "People of the Longhouse" and are primarily located in upstate New York and Canada. When an Iroquois tribal member was injured or became ill, they would appeal to the False Face Society to drive out the spirit of the illness or injury. The society members all wore masks that they carved out of wood themselves. Once the society member located a tree the "spoke" to him, he would talk to the tree and build a fire by it. The mask was cut from the bark of the chosen tree and carved in a secluded shelter and decorated with hair, feathers, paint, etc. Students can make a mask from Styrofoam meat containers and decorate it with feathers, paint, felt, etc.
Indian Village
The Pueblos built on land centered around a mission church.
Have your students create a three-dimensional Indian village at home as a class project. Discuss the many different types of Native American dwelling that are not limited to the stereotypical tepee. Suggest that your students consider the adobe structures of the Pueblo Indians, for example. The students should be encouraged to build their village on a board sturdy enough to be brought in to school on the due date. They can also consider how the Native Americans lived, ate, hunted and use items in their model to demonstrate what they have learned.
Totem Pole
Wings add horizontal dimension to the totem pole.
Many Native American tribes made totem poles that told the story of their family's history and their ancestral spirits. These caricatures sometimes appeared as human form and sometimes as animal. These poles often depicted grizzly bears, bald eagles, moose, beaver, wolves and sea creatures such as whales and porpoises. Have your students bring in empty paper towel tubes to form the base of their totem pole. With brown construction paper to cover the tube and cut outs painted to represent various animals (some with wings), your students can complete a totem pole that is personal to them. Two Popsicle sticks glued to the bottom of the pole will allow it to stand.
Kachina Doll
Native Americans also created peg dolls.
The Hopi of the Southwestern United States crafted Kachina dolls that represented spirits in their lives such as the sun, moon, the chief, badgers, clouds, ceremonial dancers, buffaloes, rainbows, etc. Have your students bring in a toilet paper tube that they can decorate with fabric, paint, beads, feathers and other accessories to depict a spirit in their life.
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