English teachers

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Topic: animal symbolism/ totem animals

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1

I am presently working with Life of Pi, and I am asking students to examine the symbolism of the animals that ended up in the life boat with Pi and to explore how each might be a reflection of some aspect of his personality.  Students are to pretend that they have been stranded in some deserted place with animals that could symbolize certain aspects of their personalities and then describe how they would relate to each.  I'm also asking them to create a totem pole of these animals to display in the classroom.

If you had to choose an animal or two to symbolize a certain aspect of your own personality, what might you pick and why?

Mine are:

wolf: teacher who follows instinct

spider: weaves webs of creativity

serpent: sheds the old and leaves whatever no longer "fits" behind

2

I'm definitely a cat. I like to decide what I do and when I do it. I'm very picky about who I trust, and I love to be alone.

3

I would definitely be a cat, as well.  I'm very independent and like to have time to myself.  Another one I might be would be a wolf.  I also follow my instincts, as you noted in your post.

4

I would be a cat for my fierce independence and intense love of private time and also a dolphin for my free spirit, love of intelligent life, and society when I choose it. 

5

There are a lot of cats on this topic!  I, too, would be a cat - I love to curl up in a chair, in a sunbeam, read a good book, and have quiet time to myself.

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