Free printable stories and informational texts from the Native American and Indigenous People cultures.
Read and test reading comprehension online or print and use offline. Recommended level: 3rd or 4th Grade and up
The Pueblo People of the American Southwest
More than twenty five different tribes of Native Americans lived in the southwestern area of the United States. Many of these tribes lived in villages called pueblos and became known as the Pueblo people.
The Pueblo people lived in unusual houses made of adobe brick. Adobe is a type of mud which the people shaped into bricks and then let dry. Many adobe homes exist today in the Southwest.
Long ago, the adobe homes had no doors. The people entered through a type of trap door at the top. The homes were usually three or four stories high. The ground floor had no windows and was used for storage. Usually several adobe homes were centered around a plaza.
The Pueblo people were peaceful and seldom fought in wars. They were talented at crafts and the men of some of the tribes made beautiful jewelry. The women were very good at pottery and painting.
Pueblo people were also known for wearing special masks when they danced. These masks, called kachinas, represented the faces of dead ancestors.
What is a pueblo? a house a mask a village a village
In what area of the United States did Pueblo People live? Pacific northwest southwest Louisiana delta southwest
Who were the jewelry makers of the Pueblo people? the women the men the teenage girls the men
What was usually on the ground floor of Adobe homes? the kitchen the bedrooms storage storage
The Pueblo people fought in many wars. True False It doesn't say in the story. False
Long ago, adobe homes had no doors. True False It doesn't say in the story. True
Pueblo children slept on the top floor of the home. True False It doesn't say in the story. It doesn't say in the story.
What is adobe? a type of mud a type of fish a type of animal skin a type of mud
What are kachinas? bracelets worn by the women masks worn during dancing decorated pottery bowls masks worn during dancing
What kind of houses did Pueblo People live in? houses made of adobe brick tents made of animal skins caves houses made of adobe brick