How to Make a Totem Pole for Children
- 1). Lay a standard size piece of brown construction paper out so that the long edges are running horizontally. Cut a strip off of the short edge approximately 2 1/2 inches long. This will make your construction paper almost a square. Set aside the strip to make wings.
- 2). Draw three lines evenly across the paper from left to right, creating four horizontal strips. Each strip should be about 2 1/8 inches wide and will mark the rows for the animals and figures.
- 3). Fold the paper into thirds vertically. Do not put a hard crease into the paper. Use the middle third of the paper for drawing the animals and figures. Specific animals may have different personal meanings, but they also have a traditional symbolism. For instance, a wolf represents loyalty, a salmon is determination, a whale is bravery, a deer is compassion and an eagle is intelligence. The raven is a trickster and the otter likes to laugh. Draw four animals using the horizontal strips as placement guides. Each horizontal section usually has only one animal or figure.
- 4). Make the wings for a bird by folding the leftover strip of paper in half and rounding the bottom two corners of the paper. The fold in the paper will give the wings a slightly three-dimensional appearance. Cut a slit in the paper on each side of the totem pole next to the section with a bird. If there are no birds on the totem pole, wings are not needed. The slits should be slightly longer than the width of your wings. Gently pinch the paper together where you want the slit and cut upwards along the edge of the paper. It is only necessary to cut off a sliver of paper.
- 5). Unfold the totem pole and roll it into a tube shape with a diameter of about 2 to 3 inches. The pole will not be completely round because of the earlier folds. Use a piece of tape to hold the pole temporarily together. Place the tape on the inside of the tube near the top and near the bottom. Glue the outside flap closed and hold it for a minute or two to allow time for the paper to begin sticking. Place the totem pole in an upright position until completely dried.
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