Longhouses (American Community)
#1 in American community Series
on Goodreads (3)
What’s inside...
The book 'Longhouses (American Community)' by Raymond Bial provides information on the longhouses constructed and inhabited by certain Native American tribes as communal dwellings. It describes the history, social structure, and customs of the Iroquois Indians.
Discussion points
What do you think life was like living in a longhouse?
Why do you think the community chose to live together in one big house?
How do you think the design of the longhouse helped them in their daily activities?
Can you imagine how they might have solved problems living so closely together?
What similarities and differences do you see between your home and a longhouse?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to visualize the longhouse setting by asking them to draw what they think it looked like based on the description in the book.
Discuss the importance of community and working together, relating it to your child's experiences in school or family gatherings.
Link discussions to the child’s own experiences with neighbors or extended family for a personal connection.
Ask your child to consider what would be challenging and what would be fun about living in a longhouse, prompting them to engage critically with the book’s content.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Cooperation and Teamwork
Explanation: The book illustrates how Native American tribes worked together to build and maintain longhouses as communal living spaces.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of working together to achieve common goals, whether in group projects at school or in team sports.
Example Lesson: Cultural Appreciation
Explanation: Through detailed descriptions and photographs, the book showcases the unique architectural and cultural aspects of longhouses in Native American communities.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to explore and respect diverse cultures in their community and beyond, promoting inclusivity and understanding.
Example Lesson: Historical Knowledge
Explanation: By exploring the design, construction, and usage of longhouses, the book provides insights into the historical lifestyle and technologies of Native American tribes.
Real-World Application: Understanding historical contexts can enhance children’s appreciation of history during school lessons and empower them to explore more about different historical eras and their impacts.
Example Lesson: Environmental Awareness
Explanation: The book discusses how Native Americans used natural materials available in their surroundings to build longhouses, emphasizing sustainability.
Real-World Application: Children can be inspired to consider how to use resources responsibly and the importance of sustainable practices in everyday life.
Example Lesson: Community Living
Explanation: ‘Longhouses’ highlights the communal lifestyle of Native American tribes, showing how individuals lived together and supported one another.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the value of community support and living harmoniously with others, applicable in family settings and communal activities.