Animal Clan Weavings

Resources to Consider: http://turtle-island.com/customs.html Information about the Woodland Indian tribe. I have books from the library about the Objiwa indians, Woodland Indians, and Plains Indians as references
Iroquois Animal Clans: http://www.carnegiemnh.org/exhibits/north-south-east-west/iroquois/clan_animals.html and http://www.carnegiemnh.org/exhibits/north-south-east-west/iroquois/in_the_forest.html and (with pics) http://www.iroquoismuseum.org/ve7.htm

Book: Sootface an Obijwa Cinderella Story by Robert D. San Souci

Intended Grade Level(s): 2nd - 4th

Estimated Class Period(s): 2

Materials Required: Construction Paper, (paper cut for looms on the paper cutter: different color looms and strips for different animals) scissors, glue, pencils, black crayons, Shapes to trace (large circles, or triangle shapes for head of animal), Native American posters, artifacts and information on symbols and weavings

Goals & Objectives: The primary goal of this lesson is for the student to demonstrate making a paper weaving. The secondary goal of this lesson is to have an understanding of Native American symbols and culture.

GLEs Accomplished In Lesson: : PP 1.E Make a paper weaving using plain weave IC 2.A Explain how Native American art reflects the habitats, resources and daily lives of Woodland and Plains Indians HC 1.A Identify works of Art from Native Americans

Procedure (Guided Lesson, Instructions, etc):
Teacher will study a bit of information about the Iroquois Indians and prepare examples of the different animal clans. Pre-cut the looms and the strips on the paper cutter for the students to weave. Create some tracers for students to use when cutting their weaving to the shape of a circle (for turtle’s shell) or wolf’s head.

Project (Steps, Examples, etc):
1. Introduce Native American culture, show poster of loom with a weaving on it, artifacts, and examples of woven materials. ( I read the book Sootface and the students briefly compared it to the real-Cinderella story using a think-pair share.) I showed students the examples of the different animal weavings and explained the animal clans of the Iroquois Indians.
2. Explain vocabulary: loom, weft, warp. If time allows, share a story or book or information about Native American symbols. (Check with your school librarian for resources if you don’t have something that you already use during weaving lessons.)
3. Demonstrate how to make a paper weaving. (Have the 9X12 loom paper pre-cut for each student) After students finish their weaving, they will glue it to a sheet of 9X12 coordinating color paper for the next week. Don’t forget this step!


Poster from Arts and Activities magazine. It has additional information on the back.

Week 2 (This doesn’t take an entire class period, I always have some handouts of symbols for them to study that they could write a story with or make a book mark to take home)
1. Review Native American symbols. Demonstrate how students could make a book-mark using symbols if time allows at the end of art. (this is what I do….I already have handouts for each table ready and a box with all the materials they will need to create the bookmark.
2. Using the weaving from last week, students will trace a circle and cut it out. (this is for the turtle, I will show examples of a fox and a wolf at the conference and the pictures below).
3. Students will add the arms and legs or ears and snout, I demonstrate how to draw these with a pencil on construction paper and cut out. Then I explain how they will layer pieces to create a design on the shell.
4. Students could make their turtle really detailed by cutting out claws and eyes, or they can just draw those on with a black crayon. (I always have someone draw a smiley-face ☺ on the turtle….it never looks quite right) Students can use scraps of paper or black crayons for many of the details.
5. I always have books in the room for students to look at if they get finished early. The librarian gathers books on Indians, Weavings, and Native American Symbols.

Assessment and Reflection: Students will create the turtle weaving based on a teacher created rubric as it aligns with district objectives and goals. Students should be able to complete the weaving with little or no teacher assistance and the finished product should have good craftsman ship and details appropriate to the grade level.