This week first graders have been learning about the types of shelters that different tribes of Native Americans lived in. First we reviewed the reasons why we need shelter. We discussed how shelter protects people from many things including wind, rain, temperatures, sun, animals, and insects. We also reflected on the idea that today we make buildings and homes from man-made materials such as steel, plastic and drywall in combination with natural materials such as wood. Historically, Native Americans created their homes using the materials they had – whatever was provided by nature in the climate that they lived. This could be wood, grasses, animal products, snow, mud, etc.
We have explored two types of shelters so far through hands-on creation. First, we explored teepees. First graders learned that tribes who lived in the Great Plains such as Lakota, Pawnee, Arapahoe, Kiowah, and Cheyenne used teepees as their shelters. They used animal hides or canvas stretched over wood. In class we investigated the structure and engineering of a teepee using photos of teepees, a video of a group of people building an authentic-style teepee, and our very own classroom tents that are formed like teepees. We discovered they were created from material in the shape of a half circle, so that when it is wrapped around the wood it forms a cone shape. Another essential part of the structure is the foundation built from poles and string. We investigated the way that our classroom tent is strongest when the poles were spaced further apart at the bottom and closer at the top. We also looked at the function of the rope at the top. We discovered that the rope served two jobs: holding up the canvas and keeping the poles in the right formation. Then, first graders headed off to investigate the best way to build the structure of a teepee. Using pencils and rubber bands, students worked in groups or alone to construct the materials into a teepee structure that was strong and sturdy. For some it took a few tries, but they all were able to create the structure!
After we finished exploring the structure of the tent, we moved on to investigating the outside layer. Looking at primary source images, we discovered that teepees were made by sewing together multiple pieces of leather. If decorated, they were often painted using natural materials and depicted images of animals or geometric patterns. First graders set off to decorate, distress and form their own “canvas” layer (made from paper!) into an authentic-style teepee.
On Wednesday, we investigated a unique type of shelter used by the Inuit tribe. Unlike the other Native American tribes who lived in more temperate climates, the Inuit tribe lived in a polar climate, meaning they had to deal with harsh winters and extreme weather conditions. Their shelter was called an igloo or igluviak. Although the shelter was made of blocks of snow, it actually kept the Inuit warm by insulating a pocket of air that could be warmed with body heat. It also protected them by blocking harsh winds and allowing darkness during seasons of full sun.
To learn about the experience of the Inuit people, we read a book called Arctic Son by Jean Craighead George. The book tells the story of a modern Inuit boy learning the traditions of his older family members. We also watched a video of an Inuit man and child building an igloo out out of snow. The next day, we attempted to build our own miniature igloos out of the closest thing we could find with the texture of snow – kinetic sand! Even with tools, this was no easy task! First graders worked with small groups to build the best igloo they could. The walls weren’t too bad but the top and arched doorways were particularly tricky!
