1. 4th Grade Clay Totems

2. Vocabulary totem additive subtractive bisque glaze Properties of Matter?

3. Totems In a Native kinship system, people were considered related: by blood in a group called a clan Each clan identified very strongly with the crests and figures carved on their totem pole.

4. Totems Native Americans believe that each animal carries its own special energies and gifts. By observing how each animal lived, located food and protected itself, Native Americans were able to define the animal's particular strengths and weaknesses.

5. Totems For example, the eagle soars high in the sky and represents independence and courage. Bears are strong and dangerous foes, so the bear represents physical power and strength.

6. What you will need: Clay sharpened dowel or pencil animal chart canvas to cover your desk tool to add details to clay

7. Bear Strength and Courage Cat Independence Curiousity Eagle Independence and Freedom Frog Transformation Owls Wisdom

8. Fox Cunning, stealth Falcon Swiftness Lion Independence and Freedom Rat Intelligence Wolf loyalty

9. Step 1 Think of three qualities you possess that can be represented on a totem Choose three animals that represent these qualities Transformation Strength Independence Freedom

10. Step 2 Divide your clay into four pieces. Shape three of the pieces into the three animal heads. Add details with the skewer. Make the last piece into a ball.

11. Step 3 Carefully push the dowel through the head of each animal to create the totem pole

12. Step 4 Once your clay is dry, it can be fired. When clay is fired, it becomes brittle and can no longer be molded, but it can be painted with glazes and fired again. We will come back on another day and glaze the totems.

13. Questionnaire: When you finish please complete this questionnaire. What three animals did you choose? What are the qualities in all three?YesNo Were you able to create the heads of the three animals out of your clay? YesNo Did you create a large marble sized shape? No Did you thread these on the skewer?YesNo How would you change it if you were to do it again? What three animals did you choose? 1. 2. 3. According to the handout, what are the three attributes of those animals? 1. 2. 3. What do you like best about your totem? When you were making your totem, what was the hardest part? If you were to do it over again what changes would you make?