Students will explore the cultural significance of totem poles by participating in an interactive discussion and storytelling session that deepens their understanding of the themes and experiences of Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, fostering empathy and insight into the storytelling elements essential for their own designs.

Students will articulate the purpose and significance of their totem pole project by defining the key cultural narratives and personal stories they aim to communicate, establishing a clear connection between their creative work and its impact on understanding cultural heritage.

Students will brainstorm possible themes and story elements for their totem pole designs, collaboratively drawing from their understanding of cultural significance and visual storytelling learned, to create innovative and respectful narratives together.

Students will create preliminary sketches of their totem pole sections, incorporating cultural symbols and storytelling elements informed by previous research, within a collaborative setting to explore purposeful design ideas.

Students will present their totem pole designs to peers for a collaborative critique session, allowing for testing of storytelling effectiveness and cultural representation, gathering feedback to refine their narratives and visual elements.

Students will engage in a structured peer critique session, using detailed feedback protocols to refine their totem pole designs with a focus on enhancing storytelling elements and cultural sensitivity, preparing for the final exhibition phase.

Students will engage in a reflective session to analyze their learning journey and predict how their experiences creating totem poles will influence their future understanding and appreciation of cultural storytelling.