Teepees: Homes on the Great Plains — Reading Comprehension

Teepees were important homes for many Native American tribes who lived on the Great Plains of North America. The Great Plains is a wide area of grasslands with few trees. The people who lived here, like the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Blackfeet, needed homes that could be moved easily.

A teepee is a tall, cone-shaped tent. Its frame is made from long wooden poles. The outside is covered with animal skins, often from buffalo. The skins helped keep the inside warm in winter and cool in summer. At the top, there is a flap that lets out smoke from the fire inside.

The Plains people moved often to follow herds of buffalo. Teepees could be taken down quickly and packed onto horses. This made it easy for families to travel. Women usually built the teepees. They tied the poles together and covered them with heavy skins. This work needed skill and teamwork.

Inside the teepee, families made a circle around the fire. The fire gave light and warmth. It was also used for cooking. Each person had their own place to sleep. The teepee was a safe home during cold wind and rain.

Over time, teepees became a symbol of Native life on the Plains. They showed how people could solve problems by working together and using what nature gave them.

Traditions like building and decorating teepees are still remembered today at powwows and gatherings. Many people honor these skills and teach them to children.

Interesting Fact: Some teepees were over 20 feet tall! They could fit large families and were decorated with painted shapes and stories.

What are teepees made from?

Who usually built the teepees?

Why did Plains people move often?

How did the teepee help families?

What is a symbol of Plains life?

Why were teepees moved easily?

Teepees were always made of bricks.

What does 'teamwork' mean?