Fire, Earth, & Sky

Explore how native peoples viewed fire, Earth, and sky. Sail to the Pacific Coast of Northwest America to make a triple 3-D display!

• 1.

  Research information about the native people of the American Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Explore different cultures such as the Chipewyan, Copper, Eskimo, Haida, Huron, Ingalik, Innu, Kaska, Ktunaxa, Kutenai, Kwakiutl, Makah, Micmac, Montagnais, Saulteaux, Secwepemc, and Slavey. What makes each culture unique? Which culture has attributes that resonate, or stand out, for you?

• 2.

  In groups of three, choose one culture to research. Find out how the people view the world’s elements--fire, Earth, and sky. The Kwakiutl (kwak-ootl), who originally lived in the forests along the coast of what is now called British Columbia and Vancouver Island. Ceremonies and traditions were important features of the Kwakiutl culture.

• 3.

  Explore the paintings of J.E.H. MacDonald including his Mist Fantasy. Study photographs of the area populated by the people you research.

• 4.

  Create a triple triarama to represent the world as a specific group of native people may have seen it. Combine your research, ideas from the visual images, and your imagination to plan three scenes.

• 5.

  To make each scene, measure with a ruler, and then use Crayola® Scissors to cut large white paper into a square. Fold the square diagonally in both directions, from corner to corner, and crease, creating an X in the center. Cut along a fold line from one

• 6.

  Design one triangular flap to look like the ground. Leave the other flap blank. The two upper triangles (the connected ones) are the background. Use Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils to sketch your scene. Use Crayola Markers to color your design. Think ahe

• 7.

  Repeat steps 5 and 6 twice more to create two more scenes. Glue the scenes back to back. Air-dry the construction.

• 8.

  Create several 3-D elements to add to your scenes using Crayola Model Magic. Glue boats, homes, figures, and natural elements to your scenes. Air-dry your scene before exhibiting it. Explain your selected culture to others in your class.

Benefits

• Students gather information about several native cultures and choose one to research in depth in small groups.
• Students connect visual images of locations with researched facts about the native peoples who lived there.
• Students work together to plan, design, construct, and orally describe a three-fold representation of how native peoples viewed their world.

Adaptations

• Create two pieces of writing from two different perspectives. First imagine you are a native person living in the environment in your scene. Write a description of how you see your world. Include facts from your research. Next be a trader who has just com
• Design triple triaramas for other topics or plays that are in three acts, for example.
• Assessment: Use student artwork and writing to assess the accuracy of students’ understanding of native cultures. Use writing to assess individual's skill development and plan for future learning experiences. Look for cooperative behaviors as students research, create, and present their displays.