LESSON 5.3
Learn About the Why

Grade 3 (optional for grades 1-2)

A Why Statement tells why the What Statement is new or important.

Task 5.3.1 – Class

Your teacher will read you this essay as you read along. It is the rest of the essay from Lesson 5.4

What the Ger Means to the Mongols

The ger is more than a home. It is like holy place.

Its round roof is like the sky. The two posts that hold up the roof are like the earth being connected to the heavens.  

The fireplace in is in the center of the home. It is like the center of the Mongol world.

The fire sits on three stones. Those represent the father, the mother, and the daughter. The daughter will be the mother to the parents’ grandchildren.

The Door of the Ger

The door of the ger opens to the south.

There are probably two reasons for that:

  1. If the door faced east, then it would face where the sun comes up in the morning. It would mean that that the Mongols’ life as a people is just beginning.
  2. If the door faced west, then it would face where the sun comes goes down in the evening. It would mean that the Mongols’ life as a people is ending.
  3. If the door faced north, it would mean that they have their backs to the enemies, which lived south of them. They could be attacked from behind.
  4. The door faces south. The Mongols are always ready to fight their enemies.
  5. And because the door does not face east or west, the sun shines on the Mongol people at noon. The sun is directly overhead, smiling down on them.

Task 5.3.2 – Tandem

Use a computer or encyclopedia to answer the following.

  1. Who were the enemies to the south?
  2. Those enemies built a famous wall to keep out the Mongols. How long was the wall?
  3. Did the wall keep out the Mongols?
  4. What is the “center” of your house or apartment? The TV? Your computer? The dinner table? A favorite sofa?
  5. Why were the Mongols able to have their front door face a certain direction?