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Talking Stick
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Talking Stick

Age Range: 6-8
Craft Time: 60+ minutes
Messy Rating:
1 2 3 4 5
Uses Recycled Items: No
 
 
 
 
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Material List

  • Cardboard tube from a roll of paper towels
  • Crayola® Tempera Paint, colors of choice (could include Red, Yellow, Blue and Green)
  • Craft Smart® Paint Brushes
  • Disposable plate, for paint palette
  • Crayola® Washable Markers
  • Flat paper stickers of choice
  • Ribbon of choice
  • Blunt scissors
  • Newspaper
  • Construction paper, various colors
 
 

Developmental Skills

 
  • Fine Motor
  • Social/Emotional
  • Virtue
 

Project Instructions

  1. Stuff a paper towel roll with newspaper. Cut a piece of construction paper to cover the paper towel roll, adding an inch to each end. Cut slits in the ends of the paper.
  2. Decorate the paper with things about yourself, including your name, using stickers and markers.
  3. Glue the paper around the paper towel roll. Put rubber bands around the construction paper to hold it in place while drying, if necessary.
  4. Push the slit ends of the paper inside the ends of the paper towel roll. Glue a piece of construction paper on top of the newspaper to cover the ends. Punch holes and add ribbon.

Craft Notes

Adult supervision required at all times.

Background

Talking sticks are used in many Native American cultures to designate a speaker at a tribal or council meeting. The holder of the talking stick is able to speak uninterrupted. Have students create their own talking stick to take home with them. Discuss ways to use the talking stick at home – to resolve a disagreement with a brother or sister; to make sure Mom is listening when the student is talking; or to make sure the student understands what Mom has to say is very important. Once students have made their sticks, give each one the chance to tell a personal story that is important to him or her. Make a talking stick for the classroom too, and use it during any class or group discussion to ensure that all students have a chance to talk.