Learning about Native American Homes

I first wrote my booklet about early Native American homes because I couldn't find a simple resource for introducing my son to the different ways Native American peoples lived before Europeans arrived in North America. I wanted him to understand that there were many different cultures across the continent, each with its own traditions and way of life.

One important thing I wanted him to understand was that not every American Indian lived in a tipi! The vastness of North America and its many different landscapes meant that Native American communities developed a variety of homes using the materials available in their environments.

Reading and Understanding Early Native American Homes

As I mentioned, I couldn't find an appropriate picture book that introduced these different types of Native American homes in a simple, age-appropriate way. So I decided to write one myself!

To go along with the booklet, I created printable pages for both an introductory research project for older children and basic reading comprehension practice for younger students.

The booklet introduces nine traditional Native American homes and explains how geography, climate, and available building materials influenced the way different communities built their homes.

It is written at approximately a second- or third-grade reading level. Students can read the booklet, answer comprehension questions, and write a little about the different types of Native American homes. Keep in mind that these are examples of homes used by different Native American peoples, not a complete representation of all Indigenous housing traditions.

A Simplified Native American Homes Booklet

I also realized that kindergartners weren't necessarily ready to read and write at that level. My son was a strong reader, but writing was more challenging for him.

For my younger daughter, I created a simplified version covering just five types of homes. These printable pages include a simple sentence about each home, the name of the home to trace, and pictures to cut out and paste onto the appropriate page.

My preschooler was still a bit too young for the full-length booklet, so I shared the simpler read, trace, and paste activities with her. With a little help from me, she loved the gluing and matching activities!

Extending Native American Homes Study into a STEM Project

We also added a hands-on STEM element to our Native American homes study using simple craft supplies. This activity is especially fun for a homeschool co-op or classroom!

Whenever you study architecture or different types of homes, you have a natural opportunity to incorporate STEM. Children can explore how people used the materials available in their environments to construct homes suited to their needs.

After reading about the different homes, students can try building their own models using craft materials.

Here are some of the simple supplies I suggest on the brainstorming pages:

• Tipi: Dowels, pipe cleaners, rubber bands, and felt
• Wigwam: Pipe cleaners, raffia, brown paper, yarn, and tape
• Chickee: Craft sticks, raffia or straw, and paper strips
• Wattle-and-daub: Pipe cleaners, twigs or craft sticks, and play dough
• Longhouse: Craft sticks, cardboard, pipe cleaners, raffia, felt, tape, and glue
• Plank house: Craft sticks, tape or glue, and clothespins
• Birchbark house: Cardstock or construction paper, paper bags, craft sticks, yarn, tape, or glue
• Igloo: Sugar cubes or mini marshmallows and glue
• Adobe home: Clay or play dough

You can also challenge students to think about how they might adapt natural materials to construct some of the other homes.

What materials would work best? How could they make their structures sturdy? How did people use the resources available in their particular environments?