My Favorite Activity:


ANIMAL TOTEM ACTIVITY by Margie B. Klein


Supplies – Animal totem cards – Note paper, pens or pencils – Construction paper, scissors – Markers or crayons – Tape and glue


– Craft sticks and decorations – Long sheet of butcher paper – Ball of yarn


An Introduction to Totems


A totem is any being which watches over or assists a group of people. The concept is not limited to Native American Culture, and can be found in cultures around the world, including Africa and China. Usually an animal is chosen as a totem for a clan. The totem has been used to identify tribes, for group pride, and for protec- tion. In more recent times, individual totemism has become popular – that is, “adopting” an animal that a person believes to represent favorable traits of their own, either in behavior or appearance. Totem animals show us how humans relate to nature. They


are usually chosen for the qualities they represent. When choos- ing one, the individual has to become introspective, and look at all their behavior tendencies. Sometimes an animal is chosen for qualities that the individual would like to have. Totem animals can also be chosen for the way they look, or the place that they live.


Once a totem is chosen, it is used as a symbol of self. The purpose is to visualize the animal and its place in the environ- ment in order to connect to a higher level of consciousness. The individual may ponder how the animal would react in a certain situation, similar to one that they are experiencing. In this way, the totem animal provides assistance. A totem may be displayed at home, work, or school, as a


reminder to quiet the mind and acknowledge self-confidence. Totems can be combined to show the diversity of community. This works especially well in classroom settings. Students will be able to discuss the relationships in both natural and human communities. It’s an ancient wisdom that important life lessons


CLEARING Fall 2017


can be learned for nature. And through totem activities, respect for nature is achieved. Making a totem is also a great artistic outlet. Children’s’ imaginations can fuel the creative representation of totems. More than anything else, the making of a totem is useful as a teaching tool, getting the children to inquire and think. Totem cards can be obtained from a number of differ-


ent sources. Some card decks come with a book on totem animals (see references below). Or you can check Native American or alternative gift shops for “medicine cards.” You can also obtain cards with animal depictions from most nature – oriented retailers.


How do you find your totem?


Have the students answer these questions, and jot down their answers on their notepad. 1. What animal are you attracted to or interested in? Why? (Color, fur, scales, etc.)


2. Have you seen a TV show or movie about an animal that you liked?


3. When you go to the zoo, what animals are you most interested in seeing?


4. What animals do you see most often outside? 5. What animal do you hope to see when out in nature? 6. Do you ever have dreams about certain animals? 7. Have you ever tried to be friends with an animal? 8. What animal frightens you?


9. What animal traits do you like in certain animals? What traits are similar to your own?


10. How do you wish that you could be similar to an


animal? 11. Is there an animal that you like to draw, write about, or talk about?


You may wish to take the children on a field trip to a


nature center, a park, or even an art museum. Inspiration can be found in many places, from real-life animal sightings to taxidermy specimens or beautiful paintings. Don’t forget that animals can be mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphib- ians and insects.


The children should be able to come up with an animal that they can relate to. Then ask the students to make a drawing of their favorite / totem animal. Ask them to draw the things that would usually be around that animal.


Examples of animal attributes


For reference, listed below are some of the better known animals that could be used for a totem project, along with the traits that are most commonly associated with them.


– Bear – strength, contemplation – Beaver – busyness, working with others


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