(figure available in print form)
To sum up what we’ve
discovered
and
learned
about the Indian and his culture, we will now copy his system of visual communication, apply it transfer it to our own culture and create our own personal totem pole. Students will stack three or four medium sized jars, and using masking tape attach all the jars neck to bottom, bottom to bottom, or neck to neck. Next the students will cover the entire structure with strips of newsprint paper dipped in wheat paste (papier mache’). They then will apply three coats of papier mache. This will provide students with the actual form or pole. Using the list of symbols previously developed and remembering to employ dissection, rearrangement of parts, and distortion, student will draw symbols onto pole. Encourage students to utilize space fillers by reminding them of the Indians’ highly decorative style. Paint in all the symbols (preferably with acrylic as opposed to tempera paint). A coat of shellac provides a professional finish. Students will be very proud of their accomplishment and will need to be recognized or rewarded. Have a little party or Potlatch to celebrate the students accomplishments and give them a chance to talk about and showoff their poles.
(figure available in print from)
Drawn from a picture of the Sun and Raven totem pole from the book
The Wolf and the Raven
, Garfield, p. 14. (see teachers bibliography)
Illustration by Author
Drawn from a picture of the Sun and Raven totem pole from the book
The Wolf and the Raven
, Garfield, p. 14. (See teachers bibliography)
Illustration by Author
