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WoLakota Project & Teachings of Our Elders

Dreamcatcher

Dreamcatcher — Lesson plan in the WoLakota Project and Teachings of Our Elders searchable archive.

Lesson plan · North Dakota · NDNAEU 2

Themes: Storytelling & oral tradition, Education & learning

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Inquiry Design Model (IDM) Blueprint™ Dreamcatcher NDNAEU 2 “Learning & Storytelling” Compelling Question What is the web of life? Standards and Practices NDNAEU 2 – Learning and Storytelling Staging the Question What are the stages in the web of life? Supporting Question 1 How does Iktomi (the trickster) describe the web of life and how it relates to the dreamcatcher? Formative Performance Task Share the story “Dreamcatcher” using the link below. Have students share their view of the story and what they have learned. Featured Sources https://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/Dreamcatcher-Lakota.html SUMMATIVE PERFORMANCE TASK: Supported Claim (written/spoken) or Demonstration of Process (project-based) Have students create a list of 5-10 dreams that they can remember. Students will then label the dreams as “good” ones that will be caught by the dreamcatcher’s web, or “bad” ones that will pass through the open hole in the center. Remind them that, according to the story, the “good” dreams will be carried with them throughout life and the “bad” ones will be no longer be a part of them. SUMMATIVE PERFORMANCE TASK: Extension Have students make a simple dreamcatcher of their own, if time permits. Use the link below for a supply list and video tutorial. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGNDpcSRQtM Dreamcatcher basic supply list: 1) Metal or wooden hoop 2) String, sinew, or thread Taking Informed Action / Real World Application Send a copy of the Dreamcatcher story home with each student and encourage them to hang their dreamcatcher above their bed.

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