Today we had our Native American Town Structure Building Day! Four teams of kids with parent chaperones chose a spot in the Town Forest and, using only materials they could find in the area, built a structure that they could (if they had to) spend a night in.
This eager and energetic group were the fastest builders we've had on this project in years! They quickly claimed an advantageous territory and foraged for materials to build with. Popular items were downed limbs, branches, pine needles, bark, leaves, stones and even a robin's egg! They had to be creative in the assembling of these structures as any modern (post-contact) tools and materials were not allowed! They could only use items found in nature and their own two hands.
Different styles of structures were constructed including tipis and wigwams. Each structure had its own individual features and unique technologies such as doorbells, clothes lines, fire pits, sofas, drumming circles, and a place for sharpening tools. One groups even included a welcoming ceremony with fanning leaves to allow Mrs. M. & Mrs. A. membership into the group.
This constructive experience was enjoyed by parents, kids and teachers all! If you have the chance this weekend, take your child to the Town Forest so they can show you their structure and tell you all about it! Enjoy the pictures below!
*We were also very excited to see lady slipper flowers growing in the Town Forest. We have recently read two versions of a Native American pourquoi tale called The Legend of the Lady Slipper and it was nice to see them growing so close to us. Lady slippers are rare native orchids that are a protected and endangered species. It takes 14 years for a plant to produce its first bloom. Lines of these flowers grow, all linked by a connected root system and if any part of the plant is picked, the whole line of lady slippers dies and takes 14 more years to try to regrow its blooms. Pictures of a white and a pink lady slipper are included below.
No comments:
Post a Comment