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"Barrs Homestead 1739"
Shirred Rug depicting the Sheldon House
"Greenfield High School for Young Ladies"
"Old Indian House"
Fuller House, "The Bars"
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Summary and Objective
Through investigating different housing styles of traditional Native Americans and comparing with Northeast settlers' homes, students will understand that housing reflected needs of the relevant population and available resources. This activity should promote students' appreciation of the reasons behind housing decisions through critical thinking application.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
Begin with a student brainstorm about the description of settlers' housing in the Northeast region of the United States. The brainstorming should focus around the question, "How would you describe early settler housing?"
Step 2.
Using primary sources (either on-line or pre-printed) from the American Centuries website, have children compare pictures with the brainstorming they have done. Pictures include: "Barrs Homestead 1739", Shirred Rug depicting the Sheldon House, "Greenfield High School for Young Ladies", "Old Indian House", and Fuller House, "The Bars". Note: If it is possible to have the class go on-line, encourage use of the "Closer Look" option displayed with some artifacts. Move into a discussion about WHY the housing was designed as it was. (Climate, resources available, security, community, tradition...)
Step 3.
Through the links below (or using preprinted information if no access to the web), have students research with a partner a chosen Native American housing style: Wigwams / Wickiups, Longhouses, Tipis, Wooden Lodges, Pueblos... (Be sure to scroll down on this link. There is a lot of information available!) Children will gather information regarding their housing topic and explain why this style was chosen for it's specific area. Websites: http://www.nativeamericans.com/Wigwams.htm and http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/IroquoisVillage/
Step 4.
Invite partners to share their findings. Return to idea of early settlers' housing choices compared with Native American styles. What similarities do they share? How are they different?
Step 5.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Do you think your researched style of housing would have been used in other parts of the world? Why did most Native Americans switch to "modern" American housing?
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