Iroquois: People of the Longhouse By: Meredith Lerch and Monica Wurster

Introduction You are a member of the Iroquois Nation! Your clan needs a new longhouse. You and another member of your clan will create a long house, working together to ensure the successful construction of your new home and design of the surrounding environment.

Task With a partner, use the links provided to research longhouses. With a partner, use the links provided to research longhouses. Create a model longhouse, keeping in mind the specific features that it should have. Create a model longhouse, keeping in mind the specific features that it should have. On your own, write a 1-2 paragraph description of your longhouse. On your own, write a 1-2 paragraph description of your longhouse. Prepare a five minute presentation to discuss your longhouse and the process of building it. Prepare a five minute presentation to discuss your longhouse and the process of building it.

Resources Long house Virtual Tour Long house Virtual Tour Long house Virtual Tour Long house Virtual Tour Using only the first four pages Using only the first four pages The Longhouse The Longhouse The Longhouse The Longhouse Mohawk Iroquois Village: Introduction Mohawk Iroquois Village: Introduction Mohawk Iroquois Village: Introduction Mohawk Iroquois Village: Introduction

Process While you and your clan member are constructing your new home, use these questions to guide you: What do the longhouses look like inside and out? How are the longhouses built? What would be in the surrounding area of the longhouse?

Process, cont. Each pair will receive a foam rectangle as a base on which to build their model of a longhouse. The model must include a longhouse structure and the land around the structure. You are encouraged to add as many details as you and your clan member can create. Possible materials: sticks popsicle sticks actual bark fabric toothpicks brown paper bags twist ties string

Process, cont. Each clan member will write a 1-2 paragraph description of your longhouse. Each clan member will write a 1-2 paragraph description of your longhouse. As clan members, share for five minutes how you went about constructing your longhouse. As clan members, share for five minutes how you went about constructing your longhouse. Your longhouses will be displayed in the classroom for all to see! Your longhouses will be displayed in the classroom for all to see!

Evaluation of Your Model You will be evaluated on: how your pair works together and shares responsibilities for the project how your pair works together and shares responsibilities for the project the amount of effort the longhouse model shows: solid construction, addition of details, and use of entire foam space the amount of effort the longhouse model shows: solid construction, addition of details, and use of entire foam space how closely the longhouse and surrounding area represents actual Iroquois environment how closely the longhouse and surrounding area represents actual Iroquois environment

Evaluation of Your Writing You will be evaluated on: The details of traditional longhouses that you’ve included and obtained from the websites. The details of traditional longhouses that you’ve included and obtained from the websites. Using proper punctuation, spelling and grammar. Using proper punctuation, spelling and grammar.

Evaluation of Your Presentation You will be evaluated on explaining: The process of research The process of research The process of construction The process of construction Materials used Materials used Building procedure Building procedure How you worked together and shared responsibilities How you worked together and shared responsibilities

Conclusion We hope that you have enjoyed being a clan member of the Iroquois Nation. We anticipate that building your longhouse has helped you to see the effort and hard work that goes into constructing your family’s home.