We’re making a fun French and Indian War activity Iroquois Longhouse. Also, look at my posts French and Indian War 1754 -1763 free unit study and lapbook and Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning for more fun ideas.
This highlights the home style of the Iroquois tribes who sided with the British.
We’re using an empty oatmeal container as a simple base for the traditional longhouse as we talk about the who, where, why, and when of the French and Indian War.
The French and Indian War was a major conflict between the British and French empires in North America from 1754 to 1763.
The war was fought over control of the Ohio River Valley, a region that both empires claimed.
Who fought in the war?
The war was fought between the British and French empires, along with their Native American allies.
The British and French both wanted to control the Ohio River Valley, the British built forts in the Ohio River Valley, which angered the French.
In addition to the French and British fighting various tribes sided with each side and joined in as well.
BOOKS FOR KIDS ABOUT THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR
First, look at some of these books to help bring this period in history life.
We try to read living books when we can find them then add reference books.
7 Books and Resources about the French and Indian War
Grab some of these books and resources to bring to life the years during the French and Indian War.
The book is set in the year 1756 during the French and Indian War in Guilderland, New York.
The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper is a timeless classic adventure novel. Set to a backdrop of the French and Indian War of 1757, this renowned novel follows the journey of Natty Bumpo, his two Mohican friends, Chingachgook and Uncas, and the daughters of British Lt. Col. Munro from Fort Edward to Fort William Henry. Widely hailed as Cooper's masterpiece, The Last of the Mohicans is an influential work of literature and an early contender for the title of the "Great American Novel."
During the French and Indian Wars, Dave Foster was taken captive in Maine by a Canadian war party. The story of the long, dangerous trek back to Canada, of a winter of enforced idleness in the Indian village during which Dave became a skilled hunter and trapper, and of his eventual escape, all make an historical story.
"In March of 1745, a fleet of ninety ships set sail from Boston under a cloud-ridden sky, with a stormy sea threatening outside the harbor. They were heading for the jagged coast of Cape Breton Island to stage a surprise assault on the 'impregnable' Fortress of Louisburg. This is the story of that incredible attack, and of Caleb Hatch, a young Boston lad chosen to record the events."
The struggle between Britain and France for supremacy in the North American continent.
The closest thing to total war before World War One, the Seven Years' War was fought in North America, Europe, the Caribbean and India with major consequences for all parties involved. This fascinating book is the first to truly review the grand strategies of the combatants and examine the differing styles of warfare used in the many campaigns. These ranged from the large-scale battles and sieges of the European front to the ambush and skirmish tactics used in the forests of North America. Daniel Marston's engaging narrative is supported by official war papers, personal diaries and memoirs, and official reports.
When twelve-year-old Mary Jemison and her family are captured by Shawnee raiders, she’s sure they’ll all be killed. Instead, Mary is separated from her siblings and traded to two Seneca sisters, who adopt her and make her one of their own. Mary misses her home, but the tribe is kind to her. She learns to plant crops, make clay pots, and sew moccasins, just as the other members do. Slowly, Mary realizes that the Indians are not the monsters she believed them to be. When Mary is given the chance to return to her world, will she want to leave the tribe that has become her family? This Newbery Honor book is based on the true story of Mary Jemison, the pioneer known as the “White Woman of the Genesee.” This ebook features an illustrated biography of Lois Lenski including rare images and never-before-seen documents from the author’s estate.
Here is a quick breakdown of which tribes aligned with each side during the long war to protect their land and maintain control over their territories.
They chose their sides primarily based on who they thought would allow them to maintain their way of life and allow them to access things like hunting and fur trade routes.
TRIBES THAT SIDED WITH THE FRENCH IN THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR
- Abenaki
- Algonquin
- Delaware
- Huron
- Illinois
- Miami
- Odawa
- Ottawa
- Potawatomi
- Shawnee
- Wyandot
TRIBES THAT SIDED WITH THE BRITISH IN THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR
- Cherokee
- Chickasaw
- Choctaw
- Creek
- Iroquois
- Mohawk
- Oneida
- Onondaga
- Seneca
- Tuscarora
The war was fought in North America, primarily in the Ohio River Valley. The war lasted for nine years, from 1754 to 1763.
After a long 9 years the British ultimately won the war, and gained control of the Ohio River Valley.
WHAT WERE THE AFTEREFFECTS OF THE WAR?
- The British gained control of the Ohio River Valley, which gave them a major advantage in the future.
- The war strained the relationship between the British and the Native Americans.
- The war helped to lead to the American Revolution.
- The French and Indian War was a major event in shaping the future of North America.
Next, look at more French And Indian War Activities for kids who love history.
MORE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR ACTIVITIES
- 10 Easy Resources About The French And Indian War For Kids
- Free Homeschool History Cards – French and Indian War
- Sometimes you just have to grab kids with a hook and this hilarious French and Indian War parody is a fun way to instill some facts into their brain.
- Here is a quick and easy Iroquois craft for you kids to put together as they learn more about the tribe-National Native American Heritage Day Make a Fun Kids Iroquois Bracelet.
- The French and Indian War Unboxed is a great way to get everything you need to complete 3 time period themed crafts and activities with loads of cool info on the subject.
- 15 Hands-on History Ideas for Kids Studying the French and Indian War
- If gameschooling is something you enjoy you can add a game like Bayonets & Tomahawks: The French and Indian War for a strategy challenge that gives older kids a different look at the war.
Finally, look at how to make a Iroquois longhouse.
HOW TO MAKE AN IROQUOIS LONGHOUSE
You will need:
- Empty oatmeal container
- Brown paper bags
- Hot glue gun/sticks
- Brown paint
- Paintbrush
- scissors
First, cut your oatmeal container roughly in half, lengthwise, including the plastic lid to create a solid wall on both ends.
Paint the outside of the container brown so that the printing does not show through the covering, paint over the lid as well.
You may need 2 coats. Allow it to dry completely.
Cut off the bottom folded over portion of several paper bags and cut the rest into strips.
Make cuts all the way across each strip about ½” to 1” apart but do not cut all the way across, you want to create a ‘fringe’.
Begin hot gluing the strips on the top and continue gluing one after another just under the edge of the last piece until they reach the bottom.
Trim the excess off all the way around to neaten it up a bit and make it fit the structure better.
Use brown paint to brush over the paper strips to give the paper a more rustic look so it looks more like thin sheets of bark. Add as much or as little paint as you like.
Don’t forget to leave a doorway open on the front of your longhouse by using smaller strips to cover one end.
Add some plastic native American figures and enjoy your creation as is or use it as part of a bigger diorama as you dive more into this period.
