Make a Totem Pole from a paper towel tube.

Totem poles are made by the Tlingit Indians of the Pacific Northwest coast of North America. Traditionally, each Totem Pole tells the story of a Native American family's ancestral spirits and family history (pictured in human and animal form). They depict the spirits as people, mythical beasts, and wildlife treasured by the Tlingit Tribe. These huge, wooden poles often show the bald eagle, grizzly bear, moose, beaver, otter, mountain goat, wolf, whale, porpoise, seal, sea lion, and salmon.

• A paper towel tube
• Crayons, tempera paint, or markers
• Brown construction paper (a few sheets)
• Scissors
• Tape, White glue
• 2 popsicle sticks (optional)

For a template with rectangles for four faces and each animal face outlined (and a strip for wings), click here.

Trim the paper to the right height and width (allow about a half-inch overlap around the tube so you can glue the edges more easily).

Have the child draw a different animal head in each section. Put most of the facial details in the middle of each section.

If you're working with a group of children, you can cut the paper into sections and have each child draw one face.

Glue them to the back of the Totem Pole.