Understanding Totem Poles of the Pacific Northwest Coast
Written by Adi Ackerman, Head Teacher
"Understanding Totem Poles of the Pacific Northwest Coast" is written for 3rd Grade to 5th Grade (Ages 8-11). It also works a grade below or above: younger children can use it with an adult reading it aloud, and older ones as a quick refresher.
2 pages in this set
Totem poles reading for 3rd to 5th grade: a passage on the cedar poles of the Pacific Northwest Coast and 6 questions. Answer key included. Part of our Native American Heritage Month holiday activities collection.
More Native American Heritage Month activitiesNative American Heritage Month 2026: dates and teaching guide
How do I use this resource?
Read the passage together or in pairs, then children answer using details from the text. Talk about why the bottom figure can be just as important as the top one.
What students will practice
- Teaches 3rd to 5th grade students about Native Nations, past and present, with accurate and respectful facts.
- Builds early reading with short, repeated sentences, picture support and reading aloud.
- Made for 3rd to 5th grade, and prints on US Letter paper for a lesson, a center or home.
Curriculum Links
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FAQ
How do I use the Understanding Totem Poles of the Pacific Northwest Coast?
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Read the passage together or in pairs, then children answer using details from the text. Talk about why the bottom figure can be just as important as the top one.
What is the Understanding Totem Poles of the Pacific Northwest Coast?
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Two pages. Page 1 is the reading Understanding Totem Poles, about the Haida, Tlingit and Kwakwaka'wakw carving poles from red cedar, the work of master carvers, potlatches, and house, memorial, welcome and story poles. It explains that a pole is like a book carved in wood, not something to worship. Page 2 has 6 written questions and a pole to label with eagle, bear and frog. The answer key gives sample answers.
Can I use the Understanding Totem Poles of the Pacific Northwest Coast at home and in the classroom?
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Yes. We made it for 3rd Grade to 5th Grade holiday activities, and it works the same at home or at school. Families print it for one child and keep it where they will use it every day. Teachers print a copy per student or one for the whole room, whichever the day needs.
How many 3rd Grade to 5th Grade Native American Heritage Month resources are there?
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8 printable resources, all free to preview. There are 30 Native American Heritage Month resources in all, from Kindergarten to 5th Grade, gathered on our Native American Heritage Month activities page. Downloads are included with a ClassWeekly free trial, and every page prints on standard 8.5 x 11 paper.
What age are Native American Heritage Month resources for?
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These are written for 3rd Grade to 5th Grade students, roughly ages 8-11. Many teachers also use them a grade up for review or a grade down as an extension, so use the preview to judge the fit for a particular child.
Can I use these Native American Heritage Month resources for homeschool?
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Yes. Nothing here assumes a classroom of 25, so they work the same one-to-one at the kitchen table as they do in a 3rd Grade to 5th Grade classroom, a learning center, or a tutoring session.
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Resource Details
| Grade | 3rd Grade to 5th Grade |
| Subject | Resources |
| Topic | Holiday Activities |
| Pages | 2 pages |
| Difficulty | Medium |
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