Totem Poles
Milk Cartons turned Totem Pole

In Ms. Rhoads’ Native American Perspectives class, students learned about the origin and purpose of totem poles.  In groups, they had to come up with their own legend, write it, and then make a corresponding animal out of milk jugs.  Each group then glued their animals on top of each other to create their own totem poles.  Animals that were represented are a tiger, eagles, a mouse, wolves, frogs, a killer whale, among others. 

This project helps students tie their culture into every day life, while also building creativity, writing skills and engineering.  Each of the six totem poles and the reciprocal legend will be on display in the Media Center for the next few weeks.  Come check them out!