Wattle You Build Next?
Wattle and daub huts were constructed from a framework of
flexible branches covered with a mud mixture to form the walls.Branches were woven into
the sides of the house before it was covered with mud.The mud insulated the house and kept
the people living there warm during the winter.The word "wattle " refers to the
woven branches and the word "daub " means the mud plastered around the wattle..
A model of a wattle and daub hut can be constructed using a
wire flower basket,thin grapevine,mud or clay, and green paper.Follow these directions to
see "wattle"you build!
 Materials:
Wire basket
Grape or any other vine
An 8-inch square of thick cardboard for a base
Mud or clay
Thick green paper
Glue
Scissors
Stapler
Wire cutters
Directions:
1. Ask an adult to use wire cutters
to cut a doorwayr your hut in the basket.
2. Turn the wire basket upside down.Push the wires into the cardboard
so that it will not move.
 3. Unravel the
vine.Use thin vines to weave between he vertical wires on the basket frame.Use a sim-ple
over and under weave to cover the emptyspaces.
4. Cover the sides of the hut with mud or clay.(Youcan use the back
cover as a base.Stick this one our hut and then apply mud over it).This will keep the hut
warm and block out cold breezes.
5. Make paper palmetto leaves to go on your roof.irst,cut out a square
of green paper about four inches on each side.Fold the paper like a paper fan.Use little
folds.Staple the fan at the top.Leave the paper folded for now.Now take your scissors and
cut diagonally across the bottom from one side to the other.When you open the fan, you
should have a palmetto leaf.Make lots of these for your roof.
6. Use glue to
attach the paper palmetto leaves to the roof of the hut.These need to overlap so that the
rain won't come in. Overlap the leaves of each top layer over the bottom ones.
7. The roof of the
hut could also be made out of woven grass mats.Try these instead if you like. Take your
hut to school and show off! |
