An Introduction to the Native American Unit

Tipi Ted Teaches Glenwood Landing Students about Native American Life on Long Island

"Tipi Ted," head of the Traveling Wilderness Museum and king of the longhouse, visited Glenwood Landing School in October 2017 to help teach students about Native American life on Long Island. This tradition is an introduction to the Native American unit of the fourth grade curriculum.

Thanks to Enrichment Teacher Audra Marcantonio, students had the opportunity to study inside a longhouse and examine various wildlife specimens including deer hides, animal bone tools, and shell rattles. Additionally, students engaged in hands-on activities including corn grinding, drumming, and wampum necklace making; and played Native American games such as “pick-up bones!

"Tipi Ted" along with Chris Puleo, otherwise known as Two Feathers, has annually brought this enrichment program to all three North Shore Elementary Schools. The goal of the program is to help illustrate to the students in an educational and interactive way how Native American tribes lived, gathered food, and even enjoyed games many years ago on Long Island.
Article and photos by Shelly Newman

Tipi Ted Visits GWL 1 students learning about native american cultures

Tipi Ted Visits GWL 2 old mortar and pestles

Tipi Ted Visits GWL 3 learning about weaving

Tipi Ted Visits GWL 4 student playing with animal skins

Tipi Ted Visits GWL 5 students making necklaces

Tipi Ted Visits GWL 6 students with mortar and pestle

Tipi Ted Visits GWL 7 learning about native american cultures

Tipi Ted Visits GWL 8 students with tipi

Tipi Ted Visits GWL 9 students made necklaces

Tipi Ted Visits GWL 10 learning about corn

Tipi Ted Visits GWL 11 tipi ted bow drilling

Tipi Ted Visits GWL 12 female students with their necklaces

Tipi Ted Visits GWL 13 students helping each other

Tipi Ted Visits GWL 14 tipi ted with student

Tipi Ted Visits GWL 15