Make a Native American dream catcher as an educational extension project.
Native American children's crafts can be used as extension activities for educational textbook units. Students can create art, toys and displays which showcase their knowledge of Native American culture. Hands-on craft projects can be incorporated into teacher lesson plans demonstrate a greater understanding of the curriculum through research and comprehension.
Tepee Craft
You can make a Native American tepee from brown paper bags as a model of traditional tribal homes. Students will use common craft items to portray the look of dried animal hides and tree limbs. Twigs gathered together and secured with a rubber band will form the tepee support. Students can adorn brown construction paper cut into a polygon shape with Native American symbols; tape together around the twig posts, and cut an entrance door.
Rain Stick
Recreate a ceremonial rain stick from common house hold and craft items. Necessary supplies include a paper towel cardboard tube, aluminum foil, uncooked beans or popcorn, construction paper, glue, crayons or makers and scissors. Students can embellish the tube with Native American symbols and make end caps with the construction paper. Fill the tube with uncooked beans before taping the caps on each end. Students can shake the rain sticks and hear the beans tumble while doing a traditional rain dance.
Dream Catcher
According to Native American lore, dream catchers trap bad dreams and allow pleasant ones to filter through. You can make a dream catcher from a 1-foot-long bendable twig, thin craft wire, twine, feathers and beads. Simply make a hoop with the twig and secure it with wire. Loop twine through the center of the twig after stringing and knotting beads onto the twine. Tie several pieces of twine on the bottom of the hoop and attach beads and feathers for adornments.
Native American Quilt
Students can showcase their knowledge of Native American culture with a quilt made from construction paper. Give each student a colored sheet of paper which will be hole punched and fitted together with yarn. Student will write a paragraph about a specific cultural attribute on one side of their paper and draw a picture representing their written work on the other. The paper quilt can be attached to a dowel rod and hung in a school hallway for display.
Kachina Doll
Students can make Kachina dolls to represent Native American spirits. The traditional dolls were hand-painted works of art designed to represent invisible spirits which guided the tribe through the obstacles of life. You could use large wooded clothes pins as the doll figures and adorn with fabric scraps, feathers and beads. Students can also paint facial features onto the clothes pin dolls and glue pieces of yarn to the top to represent hair.
Related posts
You can make a dream catcher while you tell the legend behind it.Native American history abounds with stories that stir the imagination and lend themselves to craft creation. Making crafts that go...
Selecting a Native American-themed craft that is easy for children to make can be done by adjusting activities to the age group you are working with. Most of these fun and educational crafts appea...
Most Native American dream catchers include bead and feather adornments.Being a Girl Scout is about learning, helping others and developing an appreciation for nature and culture. By introducing N...
Scouts can build tepees using household items.In addition to performing services to help others and taking on the rigors of camping outings, both Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts are encouraged to learn...
Native American jewelryEnvironmental surroundings and spiritual beliefs inspire the materials used in Native American jewelry-making. Children are attracted to the natural symbols commonly found i...
