Totems of Self

As part of Fifth-Grade studies students learn about the major Native American groups that are indigenous to our country. Each of these groups has a unique and storied aesthetic tradition. Even our local groups, the Kumeyaay, have traditions of pottery and basketry that are notable-as studied by our third graders.

The People of the pacific northwest have a tradition of creating totems both in isolation and on their famous totem poles as a way of telling stories, relaying importance, memorializing an individual, and communicating emotion.

Our students studied this tradition and then chose an animal totem whose characteristics represented them in a style of conceptual self-portraiture. I, for instance, am the beaver since in the tradition of the Tlinglit tribe the beaver is wise, creative, productive, and very, very handsome (okay, maybe I added that one).

We also looked at the formline design aesthetic that is used on totem poles. Formline design is typified by balance between dark and light colors, concentric shapes, soft edges, dramatic eyes and mouths, flattening of form, symmetry, and ovoid charateristics. Using this study we drew our own formline design totems.

These drawings are then etched into a printing block so the image can be replicated. As the project is finished each child will be able to print their own totem portrait and also a totem pole including their classmates' totems. Finally, we will make class totem poles with every students' print included to be hung in the Multi-Use Room.

This beautiful project blends social-studies academic instruction with personal reflection and a mass of technical art skills. Well done Fifth -Grade!