Totem Poles

In anticipation of an upcoming trip to Alaska, we've been reading up on totem poles.  We've talked about why they're made (to tell stories, show status and keep record of families, clans and tribes) What they're made of (generally red cedar) How they're put up (with great fanfare and strong men) and read some of the stories behind these Native Pacific Northwesterner's works of art.

Then, of course, we had to make some of our own. (Fun size!)

 Reese picked out her favorite animals from the stories we read.  We Googled some totem versions of the animals, then I drew them, Reese colored them, we cut them out and glued them on paper rolls.

Then we made up stories about the animals on our totem poles.  Well, I made up stories because Reese isn't comfortable showing off her ideas yet.  She gets timid like she's afraid I might think her ideas are silly or something. It's too bad because I would love to hear her make up stories. 

Liam wasn't terribly interested in the drawing and coloring of totems, but he was very interested in the gluing them on to the poles and wanted his picture taken even though he didn't make one.

 

Reese's pole (left): Thunderbird, squirrel, chipmunk.  Mama's Pole (right) Bear, frog, salmon (with fly showing in tummy)

Art Gallery

Reese LOVES art.  She could spend half the day (and does frequently) coloring and cutting out paper.  I've decided that, for my own sanity, I simply cannot keep or put on the the fridge every piece of art she does.  So I hope you don't mind my solution: To scan select pieces and post them so we'll have them in non-messy digital form.  (I guess if you do mind then too bad for you, anyway.  Because your opinion doesn't matter in this.  I'm going to post it anyway.)

Here's our first "gallery"

Trees, sun, sky, ground, flower, "Reeze" I love this one.

 Hand Prints with words in them.  I don't think she realizes that one says "Hi!"  Or maybe thats "HIL".  

I don't remember who this is, but I think it's a family member.

This may look like random squiggles, but it is actually a map of an imagined indoor playplace, complete with entrance, different sections to play in and restrooms for boys and girls.  I was super impressed when Reese pointed this all out to me.

 

This is me! (Mama) Look how she got me from the side, in a profile shot.  I don't think I've seen many kids her age do that.

The tree theme became popular after I painted some watercolor trees on some greeting cards, but Reese loves to add other elements of the environment, too.