We have been reading the book touching spirit bear by ben mikaelsen. Touching spirit bear final project deforest high school. Students design and make this fun paper totem pole that represents their family. Jenkinss language arts web site touching spirit bear. Garvey says its pronounced like a towel without the l. Touching spirit bear has never been made into a movie, but this task but what if it did. Totem poles 4th art lessons elementary, totem pole art. Peter is the boy that that cole beat up because he told the police about. We used landscape timber poles, cardboard and acrylic paint. Touching spirit bear research project yoders classroom.
So while it should be a novel that most readers can get through, the thematic issueslike child abuse, violence, and mortalitymight not be appropriate for young or sensitive readers. In touching spirit bear, cole carves symbols into a totem pole. This lesson explains the significance of coles totem pole in touching spirit bear. In touching spirit bear what does cole carve into his totem. I have read the book but still cant think of a really good idea. After they read the touching spirit bear book each child designed his own totem pole. You may want to use something like an empty paper towel roll. How big is the worlds thickest totem pole and where is it.
Develop childrens knowledge of totem poles with these facts. Color a totem pole or create a totem cube totem pole with a thunderbird cube. Research project we will be conducting research projects that go along with ideas that we have touched on in regards to touching spirit bear. Part of his banishment includes carving a totem that reflects his feelings, his healing and his forgiveness.
He carves 11 different things in to his totem he carves a eagle, wolf, beaver, seal head, sparrow in a nest, raven, jagged bolt of lightning, big raindrop salmon, spirit bear and a circle this is the order they are in the book so he put them in that order top as the eagle and the circle on the bottom. Cole does actually touch spirit bear when he comes to the islandyou know, when he tries to kill the bear and ends up grabbing a handful of his fur. The writing makes up half of your grade for this project so make sure that you spend some quality time on your writing. He carves 11 different things in to his totem he carves a eagle, wolf, beaver, seal head, sparrow in a nest, raven, jagged bolt of lightning, big raindrop salmon, spirit bear and a circle this is. Cole matthews, the main character, goes on a journey of selfdiscovery and ends up creating a totem pole to explain what he. This is a terrific set of printables and activities to support your native american heritage month activities. Touching spirit bear totem pole project by ellie beghtol. Create a playlist on youtube of at least four schoolappropriate songs that have similar themes to those in touching spirit bear. You know, the stuff you just told me makes more sense. In order to demonstrate your understanding of these deeper concepts, choose a project from the options below. See more ideas about touching spirit bear, spirit bear and totem pole art. Touching spirit bear webquest sharpschool redirect. Touching spirit bear totem pole project animal characteristics.
Totem pole animals and their meanings below are students working on their totem poles, as well as using our. The top is a brain, then comes a 3d apple logo, the indian flag, a. I remember learning bout totem pole but never made one. Hes unrepentant and even though he is facing serious jail time, his kindly parole officer, a man named garvey, gets him into this native american justice program called circle justice. Your task is to act as the director of visual promotions for the new movie to create a cinematic release experience for touching spirit bear. I chose my animals for my totem because they best represent me. Options for projects include a totem pole, abc book, poetry, book critique, popular music journey, and conflict presentation. I would use this project only after teaching my students about the significance and meaning of totem poles in native american cultures. See more ideas about touching spirit bear, spirit bear and spirit.
Touching spirit bear totem pole project we have been reading the book touching spirit bear by ben mikaelsen. After you create your totem pole you will be writing about the meaning behind your creation. Eberts 7th grade english class for our project based off of the book touching spirit bear. Create an amazing native american diorama with printable versions of a teepee, canoe and fire or use the blan. Cole matthews is a teenage delinquent whos in big trouble for beating up a kid named peter driscal. Bear symbolism, bear meaning, bear totem, bear dream, spirit. Dedication thisbookisdedicatedtobuffy, asevenhundredpoundblackbearwho hasbecomemyownspiritbear. In the book, touching spirit bear, by ben mikaelsen, cole matthews goes on a journey of selfdiscovery and ends up creating a totem pole to explain what he has learned about himself. Asked in totems and totem poles in the book touching spirit bear what did cole carve on the. Hetaughtmetobegentleand thati,too,ampartof thecircle.
Totem pole project for kraemer eighth graders the cub reporter. First he carves an eagle, then a wolf, beaver, bear, seal, sparrow, raven, salmon, and lightning. Touching spirit bear quotes and analysis gradesaver. Touching spirit bear abc book by preston williams on prezi.
Drawn totem pole spirit animal pencil and in color drawn totem pole spirit animal not sure if these are the choctaw meanings. The native american traditions described within the book are quite unique in terms of their world view and their emphasis on the role of nature. Jjittery ppeter ddetermination vviolent after cole touches the spirit bear, he is determined to not lie. Landscaping software for ipad 6th grade totem pole project. Totem pole 2020 cobian, terri red wing public schools. Conversely, people with the kermode or spirit bear totem as their guide in life are deeply devoted to the planet. Totem project in the book touching spirit bear, cole matthews, a troubled teen full of anger, is sent to live alone for one year on an island to discover how he can make restitution for all the harm he has caused people. Touching spirit bear is a pretty simple book to follow in terms of writing style and vocabulary, but it does deal with some very heavy issues. The project is based on the book touching spirit bear by ben mikaelsen, in which cole matthews made a totem pole to help himself heal.
Click on the link below to create your own totem pole. Touching spirit bear, totem pole project what would you put on your totem pole. Making my totem pole was fun, and it made my creative side come out. Touching spirit bear presents a very different culture and way of seeing the world than is common for the typical american audience. The dances, carving the totem, carrying the ancestor rock, touching the spirit bear, it was all the same thingit was finding out who i really was. Family totem pole project adaptable for distance learning. The construction of your totem pole is open to your creativity. Book report ideas on touching spirit bear by ben mikaelsen. In touching spirit bear what does cole carve into his. Lesson on totem poles historygeography and art integrated lessons.
The only materials needed are a paper towel tube, construction paper, glue, and markers. This is an awesome totem pole project for native american unit. Whatever you do to the animals, you do to yourself. We will learn why cole chooses each animal to carve into the pole, and then explore the meaning of the totem. In touching spirit bear, garvey tells cole that he should create his own totem pole that tells his own story. Touching spirit bear has both a literal and a figurative meaning for the novels protagonist, cole matthews. Now that you have finished your literary journey with cole matthews through ben mikaelson book touching spirit bear it is time to put yourself into the world of cole matthews. This meditative act teaches him respect for nature and trust of other living things. Touching spirit bear final project choose one project to complete from the list below and be ready to share your project on friday, january 29th in class.
Touching spirit bear totem pole activity due by december 9th can be brought in early this assignment is based on the book, touching spirit bear, by ben mikaelsen. I went through the book, page by page, to compile these quotes as a textual evidence reference for students. This is a comprehensive list of all possible symbols in touching spirit bear as well as 140 accompanying quotes and page numbers. Dorias language arts classes had a project that was due during our first week back from winter break.
The actual totem pole is not as important as the thoughts behind it. Keep in mind, that this will be your final assessment and should reflect your very best efforts and participation. After peter gets beat up by cole, peter is very jittery around cole and is very afraid of him. People that have the grizzly bear as their spirit animal totem are fiercely competitive can be highly aggressive in attaining their goals, independent thinkers and generally wish to be left alone. After teaching touching spirit bear by ben mikaelsen, i designed this novel project for students to get creative. Cole matthews, the main character, goes on a journey of selfdiscovery and ends up creating a totem pole to explain what he has learned about himself. Mar 09, 2009 book report ideas on touching spirit bear by ben mikaelsen.
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