How to Build a Scale Model of an Indian House
Native American peoples, often referred to as "Indians," lived in houses and dwellings of varied construction. While some who lived on the plains lived inside teepees, native peoples in the east lived in huts or houses. When you are teaching students about ancient American history, it can be exciting for them to create a scale model of an Indian house, like one used hundreds of years ago.
Instructions
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Cut cardboard into five sections. Make one section measure 12 inches square. Make three of the sections measure 6 inches long by 4 inches wide. Make the last two sections measure 4 inches square.
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Glue two of the 6 by 4 inch sections to the 12 inch square, arranging them so they are standing up on their long sides. Space them 4 inches apart.
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Glue the 4 by 4 inch pieces onto the ends of the other pieces.
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Glue the remaining 6 by 4 inch section onto the top of the structure.
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Allow the glue to dry completely.
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Cover the entire structure with air-drying clay, leaving the front uncovered.
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Poke a hole out of the opposite side as a window.
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Spread the clay around so that the clay naturally slopes down to the base on all sides.
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Allow the clay to air dry completely.
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Paint the Indian mound house with acrylic paint. Use natural, earth-tone colors to represent the earth that would have been used to make an Indian house.
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Allow the Indian house to dry completely before displaying.
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References
- Photo Credit Wupatki Pueblo Indian Ruins image by Richard Paul from Fotolia.com
