Lesson Title: Talking Sticks

Grade Level: 2
nd
grade
Genre: Fiber arts, sculpture
School: Sunset Ridge Elementary
Standards
National Standards:
Standard 3: Choosing and evaluating a range of subject
matter, symbols, and ideas
Standard 4: Understanding the visual arts in relation
to history and cultures
Standard 5: Reflecting upon and assessing the
characteristics and merits of their work and the work
of others
Learner Characteristics
100 2
nd
grade students
56 boys, 44 girls
60% white, 30% Asian (India, Far East), 8% Middle
Eastern, 2% black
Many students practicing fine motor skills such as
knot tying. Also, this age group is beginning to reach a
developmental stage when focusing is difficult and
many students increase the frequency of talking out of
turn.
Learner Objectives
Students will create a unique talking stick by choosing
materials based on symbols that represent their own
values and traits.
Students will be able to demonstrate understanding or
the visual arts in relation to other cultures by
participating in a discussion about tools and art of
Native American people.
Students will be able reflect upon the characteristics of
their own work by participating in a talking circle
activity after creating their own individual talking
sticks.
Lesson Overview
Discuss the culture of respect throughout the Native
American culture (all tribes)
Discuss what it means to be a respectful listener and a
truthful communicator
Create individual and unique talking sticks with a
variety of yarns, beads and feathers.
Regroup on the carpet and practice a talking circle to
reflect on the symbols the children chose to include in
their talking sticks.
Rationale
At this age group is learning independence. They dont
quite know self-control while seeking to express
themselves. The concept of the talking stick circle will
allow the students to create something based on self-
reflection and their own decisions. The talking circle gives
the students their own time to be heard while teaching
patience for waiting for their time to talk. The school
district has 3 PBIS rules of Safe, Respectful, and
Responsible. This lesson also meets the Respectful aspect
of the schools positive behavior goals.
Key Concepts
Native American culture, symbols/symbolism, PBIS:
Respectful, talking stick, talking circle, counterclockwise
Materials
Sticks, various yarns, assorted beads, assorted feathers
Motivational Activities
Powerpoint discussion (with instructors talking stick), art
making activity, Talking circle reflection activity
Resources and Visual Aids
Powerpoint presentation, instructor samples
Lesson Sequence
5 minute discussion of Native American culture of respect,
talking circle, talking stick.
5 minute demonstration of making a talking stick
30 minute talking stick designing activity
5 minute clean-up
15 minute talking circle reflection activity (Each child gets
a turn, counterclockwise from teacher) to share the
symbolism of their stick or pass. After each childs turn
they place their stick in the middle of the group to create a
circle (symbol of equality).
TOTAL: 60 minutes
Evaluation/Assessment
Students will be evaluated on their effort, application of
media and technique (craftsmanship), and application of
concept (creativity and reflection).
Accommodations and differentiation
Student choice of media textures, quantity, and color.
For students with sensory concerns, a smoother stick
such as a dowel can replace the bumpy, flaky, dirty
stick.
Student with LD for information processing, needs
assistance in single-step project completion. Instructor
will provide VIP and 1-on-1 assistance for multiple
step actions (ie tying a knot)
For students with dexterity difficulties, pipe cleaners
will replace the yarn