Yurts are tent-like houses which are constructed by covering wooden lattice framing with felted wool. Sometimes the wool was coated in animal fat to make it more waterproof. People of the Stepppes of Asia have lived in yurts for thousands of years and still live in them today.
Our yurts were created with clothes pins, felt, card stock paper, yarn and some glitter glue for decoration.
First, clothes pins were glued to a circular piece of felt to create the roof.
The circular shaped cover for the smoke hole was sometimes made out of wood and passed down within a family. It was often decorated with a family symbol.
Felt was glued to card stock for the body of the house. A door was cut into the home and it was decorated.
Since the Scythians were nomads, their houses could be broken down and transported. Therefore, the Yurts and roofs were tied into their cylindrical and cone shapes with string.
Interestingly enough Yurts (sometimes called Gers) are still used today. Here is a time-lapsed video of a modern day Yurt being erected.
The finished yurts can be used for cute doll houses. Maybe Barbie would like a new Yurt?
Here are links to some hands-on history activities for kids.
Celts
Vikings
Scythians
Ancient China
What a fun activity. Great job
ReplyDeleteWow! What a neat activity! I just love fun, hands-on learning for kids! Coming to visit from Red Oak Lane. Hope you have a great rest of your week. :-)
ReplyDeleteThese are a very cool project! I have heard of modern day yurts before, but I didn't realize their history. Thank you for sharing with Look What We Did :)
ReplyDeleteThis is great! Thank you for linking up with look What We Did!
ReplyDeleteI love hands-on history and culture projects. The yurts turned out great!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great project!! Thanks so much for linking up to Tot School Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteI love your yurts Julie. If I had actually planned our Mongol unit I may have done the same, but ours was rather thrown together!
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