Last updated: September 4, 2019
Lesson Plan
Housing: Early Homes
- Grade Level:
- Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
- Subject:
- Literacy and Language Arts,Math,Science,Social Studies
- Lesson Duration:
- 60 Minutes
- State Standards:
- Social Studies:
Fourth Grade
4.1.1,4.1.3
Eighth Grade
8.1.1 ,8.1.2
Language Arts: (writing)
Fourth Grade
W.1,W.2,W.3,W.5,W.6,W.7
Eighth Grade
W.1,W.2,W.3,W.4,W.5,W.6,W.7
Essential Question
How has housing changed over time?
Objective
The students will:
Develop empathy for others as they make connections through photographs.
Design and construct a replica earth lodge
Background
This lesson is part of Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site Teacher's Guide for Grades K-8: Guide to the Earthlodge People. It was written by members of the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation for educators.
You Ought to Be in Pictures prepares students to read a passage using pictures and guided imagery to process newlearning. It primes them to learn from text materials that may otherwise be regarded as cold and impersonal.
Photographs can evoke a sense of mood and convey meaningful information that communicates far beyond written description.
Guided imagery using photographs provides an excellent opportunity for students to record observations and thoughts in writing.
Preparation
Read the housing background information before working with students.
Pictures and drawing of earth lodges from the internet
Procedure
Step1
Tell students that over the next few lessons they will be learning about Housing and Transportation. Today the main focus will be on housing including: types of housing, and how earth lodges are constructed.
Step2
Pass around the earth lodge photographs provided in the kit, other images can be located on our website and other websites to project on a smart board or overhead.
Step3
Select a photograph that will introduce or extend important ideas or concepts for the overall unit such as people in an earth lodge village and guide the students with the image. First, examine the location of the photograph. What do you observe about the countryside? About the Land? The plants? The vegetation? What time of year might it be? What does the climate appear to be like? What type of day doesit seem to be?
Now focus closely on each person in the image. Pay particular attention to what each person is wearing. Look at the way family members carry themselves, their posture, and their facial expressions.
Next choose one individual in the photograph and imagine you are this person. What might you be thinking while this was happening? Describe what you might be feeling, what emotions you might be experiencing. What has the day been like for you? Imagine what might have happened before the scene presented in the photo. What do you see happening later during thisday and following days?
Step 4
Tell the students it is now many years later. You are showing this photograph to a grandchild. What would you tell this child about your memories of the day? Write what you would share as an entry in your notebook.
Draw an earth lodge. Create your own design for the interior.
Step 5
Ask students to read the housing background information quietly to themselves or ask for volunteers to read out loud.
After reading the background information ask the students the following questions:
1. What was the main difference in how the Mandansbuilt their homes before they were influenced by the Arikara and after?
2. Who owns an earth lodge?
3. How did people keep rain from coming into the earthlodge through the smoke hole? They put a bullboat over the smoke hole.
Vocabulary
Earth lodge, fire-pit, stringer posts, rafter poles, smoke hole, bull boat, willows, extended family
Assessment Materials
Formative assessment:
Students ask questions during reading and discussion.
Students ask questions during the planning, design and construction of a replica earth lodge.
Summative assessment:
Student constructed earth lodges exhibit thought and consideration of Hidatsa values and culture discussed during the lesson.
Additional Resources
KnifeRiver Indian Villages National Historic Site contains some of the best preserved examples of remnant earthlodge villages along the Missouri River in North and South Dakota. The three main sites are Big Hidatsa National Historic Landmark (Hidatsa Village), Lower Hidatsa (Awatixa Xi'e) Village, and Sakakawea (Awatixa) Village sites.
Invite a Mandan, Hidatsa, or Arikara speaker to your class for a presentation.
There is a video in the production stage, which will be located on our media website when it is complete. It would be good to show the video in lesson1 as an opening or closing activity.
A Song for the Horse National Park Service
The Lewis & Clark Expedition
Hidatsa Language CDs