In honer of the Native American my 5th , 6th and 1st graders made dreamcatcher and medicine sheilds.While many Native American warriors carried shields into battle, their primary purpose was not physical protection. They represented the warrior’s personal vision and “medicine” or spirit-guided power. They were put in places of honor in the warrior’s lodge.
The personal medicine shield was made of animal hide stretched over a wooden hoop. It was decorated with feathers and other objects, and painted with special images and symbols. The colors used also had great significance.
Traditionally dreamchatcher is used as a charm to protect sleeping people from nightmares. The Ojibwa believe that a dreamcatcher changes a person’s dreams.Only good dreams would be allowed to filter through… Bad dreams would stay in the net, disappearing with the light of day.
This lesson plan gives students an opportunity to create their own “medicine” shield, selecting patterns and designs from Native American culture and adapting the ideas to their own, and also make their own dreamchatcher to take home and hang them on their walls at home. they came out pretty good I must say.
cherriecow 