How to Build an Igloo

How to Build an Igloo

Here is a great authentic video showing how the Inuit build one of their homes, the igloo. You will notice that the commentator refers to the Inuit as Eskimos, a word that we no longer use since is it not a respectful term. Keep in mind that this video was made by the National Film Board before it became common to use the term Inuit which means ‘the people’. As we discussed, the Inuit are resourceful people who use the natural resources in their environment for their survival. What strikes you most after viewing this video? What is your reaction?
I have also found two great websites where you can learn more about this fascinating culture, their history and how they lived in the past and in the present. You will find the links to the websites in the ‘Subject Links’ page under the ‘Homework’ tab.

4 Replies to “How to Build an Igloo”

  1. That video was so amazing. My family even loved it! I think it was so cool how they made a ramp going up and then added the snow and ice blocks onto the ramp of the igloo. I think this video was taken many years ago because in the video instead of calling them Inuit they called them Eskimos .

    1. I am glad that your family enjoyed watching the video too, Maddie! It still amazes me how clever and creative the Inuit were in the past and the technology that they created when making their tools. You are right about the age of the video being rather dated. Good for you for picking up on the use of the word Eskimo!

  2. When was this video made? I also really enjoyed it and it is very interesting how they made the igloo going like a swirl. I never new that. Mrs. Mann, could you please post up a video of how they hunt? I enjoy watching how they hunt and all the materials they used especially the Leister. Plus Ethan and I are doing the big project about it ( I`m not just thinking about myself about the hunting, I mean you can post up on how they make their clothes or how their transportation works, I just want to learn more about how they hunt.) If you can`t, that`s okay too.

  3. I watched this video again with my sister and during the video, she kept on saying ‘ how do they do that?’ or ” I want to try to build one!” Even though I told her that it is very hard and takes lots of work and that only men are suppose to be the ones building the igloos.

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