The goal of this project is to help people document their learning journey. How can we keep track of our learning in a new and fun way that is not a journal, form, template, or post it note activity?

What you will be doing is creating a monthly goal(options below for accountability partners) and each month you will revisit with your team or partner to discuss your journey and then create a totem pole symbol that reflects the learning.

Each month you will have a new goal, new partner, and new opportunity to add one more symbol to your totem pole. At the end of the school year you will have this amazing structure to celebrate your learning.

Even better if you can find a place for everyone to build their totem poles, then you can recreate and redesign a room full of inspiration.

Let's dive in!

After this have them do their handshake one more time and head back to their seats. Proceed with the learning of the workshop or PD. This will vary for each person.

Every single time you see your partner you should do your high five just to spread some good vibes to yourself and those around you. It is amazing how it puts smiles on the faces of people.

Before the next PD be sure to reach out to your partner and check in with them.

To start the next session create a circle of chairs with nothing in the middle. Remove all barriers and edges from inside and around the circle.

Welcome everyone and let them know that it is important to share our journey - both good and bad.

Provide a talking stick or device to be tossed around so that the person holding it is the only person who can speak to eliminate distraction, comments, and anything else. It is only about sharing, not judging.

Explain to the group that we will be starting a new learning tradition. We will be coming together each session by adding a new layer to our Learning Totem Poles. We will be starting today with building the base.

Hand out a notecard or small piece of paper along with a writing utensil to everyone. Give them time to sketch out ideas of their learning and symbols that represent that learning.

Have them sketch, nothing fancy.

Have them think colors

To keep costs down low, but still impactful I suggest only using construction paper or cardstock.

If you want to build in 3D, then build with paper towel tubes and cardboard. Go for it.

In our case, we have a lot of people and we occupy a space that is used by many. We need to be cautious of space. We will be using the walls to display our totem poles.

Give people time to research(links below) what colors mean, symbols, and totem pole history. Allow them time to build and make the first symbol.

Limit them to only 4 colors. Constraints are good.

Provide them with either black or brown construction paper as the backdrop and they will glue the items to this paper.

Materials

1. Construction Paper

2. Glue

3. Scissors

4. Tape to adhere to walls

• 4th Grade Art Class Example Totem Poles
• Totem Pole Element Ideas To Make
• Pinterest Totem Pole Ideas

What does it all mean?

• Meaning of Animal symbols
• More Symbol Explanations
• What do colors represent?
• Meaning of Color
• Spirit Animal