5th Grade Totem Poles

Totem poles are carved by Native Americans of the Northwest Coast. These people did not have a written language, so totem poles were a way of recording their legends. They were also used to honor important people. 

We recently finished our Native Americans unit in social studies, and students are now working on making totem poles that represent themselves. They were given animal symbols and needed to choose the ones that corresponded to their story. They will soon begin a narrative that goes with their totem pole!

  Connor decided to make his totem pole using Legos.

Emma deciding what symbol to make next.

 Sofia and Gina showing off their totem poles!

 James painting his symbol

 Michaela decided to make her totem pole out of wood!

 Malia is sketching her next symbol.

 Sophia and her glitzy glamorous totem pole.

 Dylan is waiting for his wings to dry.