A new an innovative way to combine the teachings of character education and culture of the Native American.

Many years before the Western World was discovered by Europeans the Native American tribes made this land their home. Here they made their communities, fed their families, and developed their own set of beliefs. Some of these beliefs are found in their totems.

Character Education And Native American Birth Totems addresses one small part of Indian heritage. But it’s significance in today’s schools with their emphasis on character education should not be overlooked. Akin to the zodiac of Western astrology, Character Education And Native American Birth Totems exposes students to the Indian zodiac. Like the Western zodiac, it is composed of twelve totems. Each totem is represented by a different animal and each totem identifies the character traits found in individuals born within the month of that totem.

In this world of today, understanding of all peoples is necessary. Many of today’s schools, which have long overlooked the Native American culture are now incorporating it into their curriculum. For those schools, Character Education And Native American Birth Totems will bring an extra dimension to the required studies. For those schools not studying Native American culture as a separate unit, Character Education And Native American Birth Totems can add to any multicultural study unit or an American History unit.

Each totem is a complete lesson and students will:

Learn the character traits of people born into this totem

Hear or read a story related to the character trait of the totem

Discuss the meanings of the character traits being presented

Be given related reproducible activity sheets.

What better way to learn about these first Americans than to study their beliefs and to find that they, like us, value the development of character traits.

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TOPIC: Character education

INCLUDES: Lesson plans for 12 totems, related stories, reproducible activity sheets

GRADE LEVELS: 4-8/AGES: 9-12

FOR USE WITH: Individuals, small groups, classrooms

AUTHOR: Tim Ludwig

RECOMMENDED FOR: Elementary counselors, middle-school counselors, elementary teachers, middle-school teachers

8 1/2 x 11, 144 pages, paperback, black & white illustrations, 2005

COMING SOON

CHARACTER EDUCATION & NATIVE AMERICAN BIRTH TOTEMS

Targeted Population: All students

Program Components: Complete lesson plan for each of 12 totems, original story related to the character traits of each totem, reproducible activity sheets

Applicable For:

ARRA: Improving Student Achievement

Peer Relationships ( Self-Esteem/Self-Understanding)

Title I, Part A: Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies
Personal and Social Growth (Character Education, Self-Esteem/Self Understanding)

Title IV, Part A: Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities
Violence Prevention (Character Education)

Title V, Part A: Innovative Programs
Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Programs (Work and Self)