The Dream Catcher

Objective

After reading and discussing
the story, Dream Catcher by Osofsky, 
the students will create their own dream
catcher.

Materials

small willow branch
leather string
feathers
beads

Procedure

After reading the story to the students, discuss 
the Ojibwa legend that the night is filled with 
good and bad dreams. The dream catcher was 
hung in the homes. The good dreams would slip 
through the center while the bad dreams would 
be tangled in the web and perish away with the 
light of the new day. Visit this web site to learn
more about Native Americans at Connecticut Indians

Students make the dream catchers by:
forming a small willow branch into a circle
and securing it with leather  string the string 
is woven in and out of the circle to form a web, 
waxed dental floss works well for the web
attaching a feather and several beads to the
center of the catcher leather string is attached 
to the top for hanging

Learn how to create a dream catcher online at 
Dream Catcher

Have the students visit the primary grades and
retell the legend of the dream catcher  while 
they show their finished product to the younger 
students.

Students can take turns taking the story home to
read with their parents and can hang their dream 
catcher in their homes. Read the Lakota Indian 
dream catcher legend at Dream Catcher Legend
 

Evaluation   

Students produce a dream dream catcher and 
share facts from Native American web sites.

Extension Activity Design a Bookmark

*Students will use a drawing program such as 
ClarisWorks or Microsoft Publisher
*The dimensions of the book mark should be 
6" x 3" (15cm x 8 cm)
*Students can insert Native American clip art 
and free hand art to decorate book mark at 
Bella Online 
*Proof the produce and print
*Laminate the bookmarks
*Have students share their creations with the class

Homework

With help of parents, make Pueblo Maple-Sugared 
Popcorn
Ingredients
1/3 C. unpopped corn   3 T. oil
1/3 C. brown sugar   1/4 C. water

Directions
Combine unpopped corn and water. Set aside.
In 1 1/2 quart pan, heat oil. Add sugar.
Add popcorn and water. Cover.
Pop the corn quickly and shake the pan constantly.
After popping stops, remove from heat.

Fieldtrip

Students living near Indian Reservations can visit
a nearby reservation. For example, in South Florida, 
students can visit the Seminole or Miccosukee
Reservations.