Medicine Wheel and
Other Symbolic Activities
The following are suggested ideas for teaching about the Medicine Wheel:
Medicine Wheels |
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- Have students brainstorm in small groups while sitting in a circle what things on Earth are in a circle (e.g., tree trunks, stems, moon, sun). Have one group at a time share one item they listed and make a list for the students to see. Continue adding to the list until all items have been listed. Discuss the significance of the circle, and then have the students write what they learned about the circle and its significance for everyone and everything on Earth.
- Discuss the following statement in class: “Time is a great circle; there is no beginning, no end. All return again and again, forever.”
- Hold a class meeting where everyone is seated around the classroom in a circle. Discuss how the class could work and play in harmony as the Plains Indians tried to do in their daily living.
- OPTIONAL: Explain to your students “tipi etiquette” (see following page) and incorporate it into your class meeting.
- Have students create a Unity Button to symbolize unity and harmony with everyone in the world.
- One of the values the American Indians held dear to them was generosity.
The dance of the sacred tree is a Give-Away ceremony. It is to remind
everyone to bring gifts to nourish the web of life and to dance to the
rhythm that would create harmony in the world. The dance can be done
in any location where a tree is available. All people of any age are invited
to attend. For a more detailed explanation, refer to the following site:
- http://www.healing-arts.org/spider/sacredtree2.htm
- Hold a Give-Away ceremony in your classroom. Have students bring something to school that is meaningful to them or something they have made and give it to someone to celebrate an occasion or to honor someone.
- Have students create their own dream catchers.
