How the World Was Formed on Turtle’s Back Lesson “How the Earth Was Formed on Turtle’s Back,” is an Onondaga creation story that features a team of vibrant animal characters, who work together to save a young woman’s life and create the world as we know it. This lesson provides numerous opportunities for students to … Read more
How the World Was Formed on Turtle’s Back Lesson “How the World Was Formed on Turtle’s Back” is an Onondaga creation story that features a team of vibrant animal characters who work together to save a young woman’s life and create the world as we know it. This lesson provides numerous opportunities for students to … Read more
Piasa Bird Lesson (Part 2): Adding Narration Objective: students will explore using narration to enhance a drama. This builds on Part 1 of the Piasa Bird Lesson as students add narration to their interpretations for the bird. Students will use different narration styles (see our guide for more details) in groups of up to four participants as … Read more
Piasa Bird Lesson (Part 1): Exploring Visual Elements Objective: students will explore how to use visual elements to enhance a drama. Students will explore adding visual elements to a drama through the Native American legend of the Piasa bird. They will identify the visual elements of shape, line, form, and texture in a work of art … Read more
The First Woodpecker Lesson (Part 2): Transformation Objective: Students compare characters and situations in drama to situations and people in real life. Students combine the primary drama tools to create character and setting. Students demonstrate transformation in a drama. Transformation is key to the message of the story and understanding of societal values of the … Read more
The First Woodpecker Lesson (Part 1): A Life Drama Objective: Students compare characters and situations in drama to situations and people in real life. Students combine the primary drama tools to create character and setting. Mythic stories appeal to all ages. This story of “The First Woodpecker,” based on Native American myth, is a powerful lesson … Read more
Vision Quest Lesson: Body Objects Review Objective: students demonstrate concentration, imagination, imitation, transformation and collaboration as they plan and practice a drama. Students transform the body into objects and then combine objects to create settings for a dramatic story. Students then enact the one character journey story in small groups with one team member playing the character … Read more
The Legend of Big Skunk story This Native American folktale can be adapted to many subjects. This story can be enacted as a two character partner story or used as an alternate story with the Hare & Tortoise Lesson.
The Vision Quest story Brave Shadow heads on a vision quest to find is courage. Little does he know it is in his heart. This story is perfect in the body objects lesson and introduces students to life as a young Native American on the North American continent.
Little Wolf’s Ginger Root story This Native American story about bravery and choices is connected to other academic areas as well as social/emotional learning.