Dreamcatchers Lesson Plan

Teacher Name Dana Visser Date 11/28/2019

Subject Area Art Grade 4/5

Topic Dreamcatchers Time/Duration 2:15-3:32

General Learner GLO- A Cultural Experience: Opportunity should be provided for awareness of and
Outcomes appreciation for the ethnic and cultural aspects of the visual arts in our society.

GLO- An Individual Experience: Opportunity should be provided for the child to

experience pride in achievement.

Specific Learner SLO Level 3- Component 3- APPRECIATION: Students will interpret artworks for their
Outcomes symbolic meaning. C: Artworks contain symbolic representations of a subject or theme.

SLO Level 3- Component 10 (ii)- SUBJECT MATTER: Students will develop themes, with
an emphasis on global awareness, based on E: People.

Materials Metal rings, yarn, beads, scissors and tape.

Introduction -What do you know about dream catchers?

2:15-2:25 -What is a legend?

 -A legend is a traditional story of a group of people that is generally passed down
through the generations orally. These legends are mythical or make-believe, but usually
have a life lesson to teach through the story. All kinds of groups of people have legends
that are unique to their tribe/culture.

-Ojibwa Legend and Story of the Dreamcatcher

-Ancient legends about the history and origin of the dreamcatcher exist among several
First Nations tribes, but mainly from the Ojibwe tribe. While many cultures find spiders
to be creepy crawlers, the Ojibwe people found them to be a symbol of protection and
comfort. According to the legend, a mystical “Spider Woman” served as the spiritual
protector for the tribe, especially for young children. As the Ojibwe people continued to
grow and spread out across the land, the Spider Woman found it difficult to continue to
protect and watch over all the members of the tribe as they migrated farther and
farther away. This is why she created the first dreamcatcher to allow her to watch over
all of the people without having to necessarily be right there.

-What do dream catchers do? Purpose/Meaning of the DreamCatcher

-Sometimes referred to as “Sacred Hoops”. These dreamcatchers were traditionally used

to protect sleeping children from bad dreams/nightmares. First Nations people believe
that the night air is filled with dreams, both good and bad. When hung above the bed in
a place where the morning sunlight can hit it, the dreamcatcher attracts dreams to its
webs. Good dreams pass through and gently slide down to comfort the sleeper below.
Bad dreams, however, are caught up in its protective net and destroyed, burned up in
the light of day.

Body -We are going to make our own dreamcatchers to protect us from nightmares and bad
dreams.
2:25-2:45
-This is quite a hard craft, so it may take us two classes to complete. The steps are as
follows:

1) Wrap your hoop in your choice of colour of yarn. Tie knots to make sure the
yarn stays on the hoop.
2) Once the whole hoop is wrapped in yarn, you’re going to make the “web” with
yarn. Tie knots to secure yarn.
3) The last step is to make the hanging “hook” and the beaded braids. Tie yarn
onto your finished hoop and add beads for decor.

-This is quite difficult, so make sure you are going around and helping students.
2:45-2:50
-Everyone eyes front, crafts down! CHECK IN. How is everyone doing? What are some of
the struggles we have experienced so far with this craft? What have we learned?

2:50-3:05 -Continue having individual work time.

-Eyes up! 15 minute warning!

3:05-3:20 -Last block of work time.

Closure/Cleanup -Cleanup List:

3:20-3:25 -Yarn needs to go away

-Scraps of yarn needs to be cleaned up off the floor/desks

-In progress work needs to be handed to the front

-Beads/Tape needs to be put away

3:25-3:30 -What are some legends from other cultures that you have heard about?

-Why do different cultures have different beliefs/values?