Cedar Plank Longhouse Model
Due: Monday, June 3rd
Background
Your child has begun a new unit of study on native people of the Northwest
Coastal Region. During this unit of study, students will compare the diet, use
of natural resources, culture, dwellings, social structure, leisure activities,
modes of transportation, and art forms of tribes from that region.
Project Outline
Imagine you are an explorer living in the early 1800s. While exploring the
Pacific Northwest Coast, you discover a thriving village. Make a model
showing what you see.
There are 4 Parts to the Project
1. Research
Basic research will be done in class. Any additional research you could
do at home would surely enhance your project.
2. Create
Create a model of a cedar plank longhouse. Your model must include
the following elements:
a) One cedar plank style longhouse
b) A view of the inside of the long house either by a removable roof
or a missing side.
c) The inside should demonstrate an understanding of the functions
of a longhouse (sleeping, blankets, foods one would expect to
see, cooking units, etc.)
d) The outside should include at least one totem pole
e) The roof should show an opening for the smoke to escape
f) Water element
g) Something showing what natives of this region used for
transportation
h) Plants
3. Write – 2 Parts
Part 1: Labels
Choose 5 parts of your model to label and include in your key (see
below):
longhouse
fire pit
sleeping area
drying food
mode of transportation
totem pole
ocean water (name a body of water in our area)
smoke holes in the roof
plants
other?
Part 2: Key
Your KEY should include a brief explanation of either how the item was
made or its importance to northwest native life and culture. This
information must be in complete sentences.
The KEY can be handwritten or typed. An adult may help you type the
table, as long as the information is provided by the child. Yes, it is
O.K. for parents and children to discover this information together if
additional research is being done at home.
Here’s an example of a partially completed KEY:
Letter
A
B
C
D
E
Part of Model
Cedar Plank Longhouse
How it was made and/or
its importance to the life
and culture
Cedar plank longhouses
were made by cutting
long planks from cedar
trees. Entire families
lived in the longhouse.
Part 4: Presentation
Students will present their projects to first grade classrooms and will be on
display in the library throughout the week.
Resources: (These sites may also be found on our classroom website)
a. http://homeschoolinthewoods.com/UnitStudies/iroquois-L1-3.htm
Scroll down the bottom of the page to see a photo of a longhouse – it is
the photo at the top of this page.
b. http://www.ahsd25.k12.il.us/Curriculum%20Info/NativeAmericans/ind
ex.html
(Unfortunately, this page appears to have been shut down. However, I
haven’t removed it from the list yet because it was such a fantastic
research tool on the off chance it’s just being updated!)
Students have been using this website in class and should be able to
locate a photo of a cedar plank longhouse with little or no assistance.
c. http://www.ic.arizona.edu/ic/kmartin/School/tlingithouse.htm
This site has a photo of a cedar plank longhouse and basic information
about totem poles.
d. http://www.mce.k12tn.net/indians/reports3/northwest.htm
This website has a sample longhouse (without the labels) as well as
information about Northwest Coast natives.
e. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/na/totempole/index.shtml
Craft idea and instructions for a totem pole
f. http://home.earthlink.net/~susankae/bigpic.htm
You can find step-by-step photos showing how I made my sample longhouse
on my website. Your child has also seen a model in class.
The kids are really motivated to get started! They have literally been asking
about this since September!
Thank you and have fun!
Mrs. Jeffery
Mrs. Kline