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Amish Barn-Raising Diorama

Amish Barn-Raising Diorama

The Amish are known for their premium craftsmanship, farming, and a simple lifestyle. Show how the Amish work together by creating a barn-raising diorama.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Craft Sticks
  • Recycled Cardboard Box

Steps

  • Step 1

    Have students research Amish culture and history - origins, dress, customs, etc. Why do the Amish forgo electricity and cars? Why is barn-raising important to Amish farmers? Note that it is a testament to the importance of community where everyone comes together to raise a barn in one day.

  • Step 2

    Ask students to decorate a background on construction paper for their barn-raising diorama, then cut and glue it to the back of the box. Next have them build a barn structure using craft sticks and glue that inside the box. Draw and cut out figures of men who are building the barn from heavy paper. (In Amish tradition, only men do the building. Women help gather the supplies and prepare the meals for the day.) They can add other touches such as a table with food and settings and perhaps people in traditional garb.

  • Step 3

    Have a discussion about what it would be like to live in communities such as these. In what ways would it be difficult? In what ways might it be better?

Standards

LA: Add drawings or other visual displays to written text to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.

SS: Culture: Through experience, observation, and reflection, identify elements of culture as well as similarities and differences among cultural groups across time and place.

SS: People, Places, and Environments: Use data to analyze human behavior in relation to its physical and cultural environment.

SS: People, Places, and Environments: Draw upon experiences in neighborhoods, towns and cities, states and nations, as well as peoples and places distant and unfamiliar to explore geographic similarities and differences.

Adaptations

Barn raising is a prime example of the saying "Many hands make light work." The Amish may also host a "frolic" to help a community member - perhaps someone elderly or widowed - get chores done. Students can research this term and think about times their friends or families came together to help someone in need.

Students can research education in Amish communities and look for the similarities and differences between Amish and other education systems. For example, English may be learned as a second language, since the main language spoken is Pennsylvania Dutch, which is a dialect of German.

Challenge students to go without electronic devices or conveniences for a day. Have them keep a journal about what they did instead and how they coped.