The Tlingit of the Norhtwest Coast lived near forests, rivers, and the Pacific Ocean. They traveled in canoes and wore animal skin clothing. For special feasts called potlatches, they word carved masks, potlatch hats and Chilkat robes. While salmon was the most important food to this tribe, they also ate other fish, lion, and sea otter. They hunted for deer, elk, and bear. Using cedar, maple, and spruce trees, the Tlingit built large plank houses. Wooden totem poles stood in front of each home, telling the family history.
Before making their own family totem poles, first graders worked in pairs to reading all about them. Vocabulary introduced through the book included carver, clan, crest, memorial, and potlatch. Students defined and then found these key terms in a word search. In addition, first graders identified common figures of totem poles such as the watchman, thunderbird, raven, bear, wolf, and beaver. Reading for detail was emphasized as students determined the importance of each symbol. Tying word work to our reading, students review beginning blends by writing in the missing letters. They also circled adjectives in given sentences.