ACTIVITY: Cottonwood stars

COTTONWOOD STARS

During weekend walks, I collect the twigs that have fallen from the cottonwood trees. I break them at the growth scar. If I’m REALLY lucky, I find a beautiful star inside the twig. I then collect as many as I can and bind them in threes and give them to my students, telling them the Native American legend that all stars in the sky come from the earth below our feet.

The first time I met a class of pre K-8 students or teachers or university students, I used the cottonwood star protocol to celebrate each learner. I told them how I was looking forward to everyone shining like a star!! 

The Secret of the Star…..

Some Native Americans believe all things come from Mother Earth. They believe that stars form in the earth and search for the roots of the magical cottonwood trees.

They finally come to rest in the small twigs at the end of the cottonwood branches. Here, they wait.................until they are needed. 

When the Spirit of the Night Sky decides that she needs more twinkling, beautiful stars, she calls on the Wind Spirit to shake all the cottonwood trees.

The Wind Spirit blows and blows, and as the cottonwood twigs break off, the twinkling stars are released and race up to a special place in the Night Sky.

If YOU want to add a new star to the night sky, find some secret cottonwood twigs, wait for a clear night, and hold up your twigs to the sky - and SNAP!  

Then, look up into the night sky again.

Can you see YOUR star twinkling?

Imagine -   you have added a beautiful new star to the night sky kingdom......