Sacred Images - Native American Paper People

Summary

Students will identify, draw, and write about the contributions of the Native American culture of Utah using the KWL chart that they have been working on during the Sacred Image lessons. They will decorate the paper people's clothes with patterns and petroglyph images.

Materials

• Sacred Images: A Vision of Native American Rock Art, Leslie Kelen and David Sucec (ISBN 0-87905-734-3)
• KWL chart of sacred images
• Paper People Construction (pdf)
• Lunch-size brown bags
• 5 and 1/2 inch paper circles cut from large brown bags
• Pencils and crayons
• Colored paints and/or chalk
• Glue
• Colored paper scraps
• Feathers
• Lined paper

Background for Teachers

The stories of Native Americans were only spoken, not written; this meant that their unique tribal histories and life experiences had to be remembered by the people as it was passed down from generation to generation. This is what is called an oral tradition. Storytelling was a tool used by Native Americans to keep their traditions and histories alive. Rock art was also a way to record their stories. We have learned much from the rock at of Utah so we will use our knowledge gained on the Sacred Images KWL chart to write and share what we have learned. North American stories teach many things, especially important was the respecting and caring for the earth and its inhabitants.

Our Native American booklets about sacred image rock art are the perfect place to record learned information. Now we can share and teach family and friends about Utah's sacred images rock art.

The meaning of the symbols that are left on rock walls is unknown, but many do appear to represent higher powers. They teach us about who we are, where we come from, and how we can flourish in the future.

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate responsible, emotional and cognitive behaviors.
2. Communicate clearly in oral artistic, written, and nonverbal form

• Students will develop and use skills to communicate information and feelings.

Instructional Procedures

1. Discuss and review KWL of sacred images.
2. Tell students to sit quietly and think about the part of their Native American lessons that they want to preserve in writing.
3. Check their comprehension by asking students to share their ideas verbally.
4. Begin the writing process and have them write their ideas on the lined paper.
5. Give students a cut sack and the circle to decorate. See Attachment #1-Paper People Construction
6. Staple the story inside the paper person.
7. When the students are ready to publish, make a Native American booklet cover.