Totem Pole Treasure Hunt

	Totem Pole Treasure Hunt
	Introduction
	Have you ever seen a totem pole in a movie, at a Boy Scout meeting, or in a documentary about First Nation (native) people? Have you ever wondered why they are there or what they mean? Even if you've never seen a totem pole before, you will enjoy learning more about this cool symbol. *The novel Touching Spirit Bear* is mostly set within the culture and geography of the Tlingit people. The totem pole is one of the important symbols used in the novel. In order to understand the novel better, we need to understand the Tlingit, their culture, and their symbols. As you learn about the Tlingit and their totem poles, you might even decide to make a totem pole yourself. So let's get started!**
	Questions
	Internet Resources
	Big Question

Questions:

These questions are here to refer to as you search for your treasures on the Treasure Hunt. Open the Word document by clicking here, then click on SAVE and save document on the desktop. Name the file your firstandlastname with no spaces (example: sherrihorency.doc). Write the answers to the questions as you find them in your Treasure Hunt on the Internet. Be sure to print out your answers and show your teacher!

1. Who are the Tlingit people, and where do they live?

2. What is the climate in that area?

3. What are the important natural resources for Tlingit people?

4. What do traditional Tlingits believe about animals and humans?

5. From what are traditional totem poles made?

6. What are four of the animals used on totem poles, and what do they symbolize (stand for or mean)?

7. What is the purpose of totem poles?

8. What is a mythical story behind totem poles?

9. What are two interesting falsehoods about totems?

10. What are two interesting truths about totems?

11. What is the truth about "the low man on the totem pole"?

BONUS:

Why can't we find totem poles much older than 100 - 120 years?

Internet Resources
History and overviews Carnegie Museums	This is a good skim-and-scan overview site. It has information on climate, natural resources, and totems. Use North only.
History of Totem Poles Another History	These sites give an easy-to-read history of totem poles.
Tlingit People Who are the Tlingit?
Making Totem Poles The Making of Totem Poles	This site provides easy-to-read steps about the creation of totem poles.
Totem Poles as Art	This site tells the story of totems and their purpose.
Stories and Myths
Raven, Grizzly, and Salmon
Low Man on the Totem Pole - click on low man on the totem pole tab	Be sure to look at the picture at the top of the page. See all the totem poles on the beach in 1878.
The First Totem Pole - click on "play" for the story. Close the window when finished reading.	(a Haida tale - these people live close to the Tlingit people)
Falsehoods and Truths about Totem poles	Click on falsehood tab.
Maps Map 1 and Map 2	These maps show where the Tlingit and other native peoples live. If you are REALLY interested in lots of information about the Tlingit (includes a map you can enlarge), click here: Tlingit
Meaning of Totems	These sites will help you understand the symbolic meaning of totems.
Compared to other symbols	Click on meaning tab.
Basic information	Click on basics tab.
Purpose of totems
Symbolism	Look here for animals used on totems and their meanings.
Animals on Totems - click on common figures tab	This is a great page for understanding animal use on totems.

Picture Links	These pictures can be used for the "big question" activities that follow.

A Haida totem pole being built	Click on links to pictures.
Examples	On this site, be sure to highlight cells with text in them so you can read them. Otherwise, the words are too dark.
Record Holders	Click on record holder tab.
Restoration
Some Animals for Totems Wolf Beaver Sea Lion Porpoise Goat (Mountain Goat) Grizzly Bear Moose Seal Orca Whale Salmon Sea Otter Eagle Raven (crow) Frog	These pages contain "coloring" pages of animals and detailed descriptions. Scroll down to see them and to read about them. Do NOT print the images. Trace or sketch those you like.

The Big Question

Now that you know about totem poles, think about how you can celebrate the learning you've accomplished. You have three choices: create a booklet, create a totem pole and reflection, or create a clinometer and measure to find something tall enough for a totem pole.

First, explore each project to see which one interests you the most. Check each rubric to see which one feels most comfortable for you.

Next, choose one and begin planning. You will have three classes to work on this project at school. Any remaining work will have to be done at home. Due date? One week from today.

Project One

Create an illustrated booklet about totem poles.

Booklet creation Template - Once you open the file, "save as" a file on your desktop in a folder you create Name the folder YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME (ex. Sherri Horency).

Look at the requirements below before deciding if this project is for you.

1. Include the history of the totem.

2. Include the history and/or culture of the Tlingit.

3. Include information about the climate and natural resources the Tlingit use.

4. Include the meanings of some of the totem animals.

5. Include a comparison/contrast of different cultures who have symbols similar in meaning to the meaning of totem poles.

6. Include several other facts you learned about totems and the Tlingit people.

7. Include a table of contents

8. Illustrate the cover and give it a catchy name.

9. Write in complete sentences, and use paragraphs for long writing.

10. Write captions for all illustrations.

12. Create each page with text and pictures (as appropriate) to make the booklet interesting.

Rubric is here.

Project Two

Create the following three products:

1. a totem pole

Go to instruction sites:

2. a page describing the process you used to create the totem pole

Use Word and make sure you create the paper in sequence with many details and illustrations, and make sure you write in paragraphs.

If you wish to add illustrations or graphs digitally, look over the "Booklet creation Template" in Project One to learn how to add text boxes and images..

3. a story about the meaning of your totem pole.

Make sure your story is unique and a personal one about your life or family, just like the Tlingit stories. Be sure to type the final draft of your story in Word.

Choose from among these websites to find the type of totem pole you feel most comfortable creating:

Instructions:

Paper totem with patterns

Paper towel roll idea (scroll down)

Complicated, advanced version

Rubric is here.

Project Three

Create a clinometer and measure objects to find any that are 80 feet high (some totems) and 80 METERS high (red cedar trees).

1. Create a clinometer from this link: clinometer

2. Check out the accuracy by testing it on items of known height.

Be sure to take notes and pictures.

3. Find items that meet the height requirements above. Measure the items. Take pictures.

Write down all notes from each experiment, even those measurements that are below or above the needed heights.

4. Using Word, write an illustrated paper detailing the process of making the clinometer as well as the hunt for tall things. Make sure you use pictures and data from each experiment. Make sure you write the paper using sequence.

If you wish to create your paper digitally instead of physically using cut and paste, look at the

Booklet Creation Template to learn how to add text boxes and images.

Rubric is here.

email: shorency@rock-hill.k12.sc.us

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Created by Sherri Horency, Saluda Trail Middle School, Rock Hill, SC 29730

Last updated July 20, 2006

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