The Johnson Elementary Tribal Fair was held in the brand new school building, but it was a 30-year tradition. 

 

During November - American Indian Heritage Month - the third grade classes study all things Indian – from tribal face painting to rain dancing to molded clay jewelry. To wrap up the unit of study, the classes host a Tribal Fair, complete with elaborate Indian attire, teepees, rain sticks, drum music and war whoops. 

 

The students learned about the native American culture and had a lot of fun, too, said teachers Erica Carey, Kim Olivio, Gina Cann and Liz Mutafis. The unit of study featured several tribes, including the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chippewa and Sioux, among others. Students heard about the Trail of Tears; how members of many Indian nations were removed from their homelands and the suffering they incurred along the way. They also studied up on how the native Americans constructed teepees and wigwams and the significance of wampum necklaces, rain sticks and Shaman masks.

 

Each of the students crafted a project at home as part of the study unit. Along with an array of dreamcatchers were turtle rattles, bearskin rugs and detailed models of villages. 

 

Parents and other family members attended the Tribal Fair, browsing the projects, enjoying performances and even learning some fun facts about the native American culture. 

 

"Native American is part of our content standards and this is a fun way to teach about them," Mutafis said. "The students enjoy the artwork, working with clay, making things in a way like the natives did. They like learning about the native people of our country and dressing up. They love sharing what they've learned with their families, too!"