Why are totem poles sometimes called silent books?
Totem poles are called silent books because the images tell a story just as a book does.
What words help you picture what a cedar tree is like?
I read that a cedar tree is tall and straight with red-colored bark and soft wood. This helps me picture a very tall tree high above me.
Why is tradition important to Shortridge?
Totem poles help preserve Tlingit culture and that Shotridge uses the same methods that were used in the past. His work helps preserve the Tlingit’s history.
What is the purpose of totem poles?
To give directions to a place
To give instructions
To tell tales and family histories
Why did carvers choose cedar trees?
Cedar trees smell good.
Cedar wood is very hard.
The trees are tall and straight.
What are totem poles sometimes called?
story trees
silent books
wooden books
What did families or clans use to represent themselves?
colors
animals
trees
Why did families put totem poles in front of their homes?
To show who lived there
Because they were pretty
To give directions to their home
Why does an artist like Shotridge have to add extra pieces of wood to a carving to make wings or fins?
The trunk of a cedar tree is not wide enough for features that stick out.
What must Shotridge do before he starts carving?
Before he starts carving, Shotridge must remove the bark from the wood and draw a design on it with a special pencil.
Imagine the scene in Shotridge’s workroom when he and his assistants are making a totem pole. What would you see and hear?
What is one reason the traditional totem pole colors are limited to red, teal, blue, and black?
Earlier generations of carvers had to make paints from local minerals and salmon eggs. The mixtures produced only red, teal, blue, and black.
What tools does Shotridge need to make a totem pole? (Name at least 3)
Shotridge needs tools like a special pencil, an adze, a chisel, paints, and paintbrushes to carve a totem pole.
What are two ways the size of the pole can affect what happens in the last two steps?
The size of the pole affects the way the totem pole is raised. If the totem pole is small, it can be raised using manpower. If it is large, cranes are used to l
What can you infer about the size of Shotridge’s work and storage area?
It must be large because totem poles are large.
