Archeology

[hweber]

In fourth grade our students need to learn about what an archaeologist is and what one does. So I came up with this lesson.

1. Distribute photos of cave paintings and other Native American artifacts with symbols on them. Talk about what the symbols mean.

2. Distribute pages with symbols and meanings on them and put students in groups of 2.

3. Have students brainstorm ideas for a story using the symbols and have them write out the story.

4. On a terra cotta pot have them draw the symbols with a permanent marker highlighting the important parts of their story.

5. Then I take home the pots, carefully break them apart and take out 1 or two pieces. Then put the pieces to two pots into a shoe box with shredded paper. Then two groups need to dig through the box and find the correct pieces to their artifact and put it together.

6. I have a parent come in and help me caulk the pots together.

7. The students then need to 'interpret' the symbols on their pot and tell the story. Then we compare the real story to the original story. Make sure that students don't get their own pot! They do not get the handout with the symbols and their meanings when they are the archaeologist!

The kids love this activity. It generates a lot of discussion about how hard it was to interpret the symbols and how hard it is when there are pieces missing to finish the story or even put it together. :gabby:

[JBBallard]

This sounds like an awesome lesson on archeology hweber. It almost makes me wish I taught elementary school instead of high school. Learning should be fun, and you've definitely made it so with this lesson. KUDOS to you!

[Boxcar]

I agree. That is a wonderful lesson! :)

[hweber]

Thanks, you could adapt it to high school too. Just make the pieces harder to put together!

[SS Rocks!]

I teach sixth grade and archaeology is part of our curriculum...I'm tempted to steal your idea! :D The only thing that would make it cooler (and an absolute mess) would be dirt instead of shredded paper.

That's an awesome idea! Not only does it make the students think about the realities of archaeological work, it also gives them an opportunity for some great hands-on work. Sounds like a fantastic lesson.

[hweber]

I toyed with the idea of borrowing the sand tables from the art teachers and actually letting them dig. But...thought better of it since I have a carpeted room. Please feel free, stealing ideas is what this is all about isn't it?

[SS Rocks!]

I toyed with the idea of borrowing the sand tables from the art teachers and actually letting them dig. But...thought better of it since I have a carpeted room. Please feel free, stealing ideas is what this is all about isn't it?

Absolutely! :)

If it were illegal, I think we'd all be in trouble.

[hweber]

No kidding!!!

[teacher5]

If the tables are on wheels, or if you can get them moved outside on the field or play area, your sand/dirt spillage problem is solved.

[Boxcar]

Plastic shower curtain liners! Throw them on the floors under the tables, and you are good to go. All the sand will be caught. If you are really concerned, have the kids do it in bare feet. That way, the shoes won't rrack sand everywhere.

[hweber]

You guys are awesome! I would not have thought about shower curtain liners. They are cheap, resuable and easy to clean up.

[bwterrill]

Your archaeology lesson looks awesome! I got my BA in Anthropology so I can really appreciate this lesson. I will be teaching 1st grade this year, as it will also by my first year teaching! I'm extremely excited and it would be great if I could incorporate this in somehow!

Thank you for the ideas :clap:

[SiobhanMarie]

I love history! When I was younger I wanted to be an archaeologist in egypt :)

[hweber]

I wanted to go to England, Italy, Israel, Egypt, Peru, Mexico, anywhere there was ancient history - a female indiana jones!

[mercygate]

I'm jealous. I'm themeing my 6th grade catechism class (all Scripture) on an Indiana Jones motif. First day of class, I played the theme music while the kids got settled and wore the brown fedora.

I'm calling the kids my "Field Team" and I am the "Expedition Leader and Site Director."

Since we meet only once a week, this great pottery project would blow my whole schedule out of the water. But I have already taught them the word "palaeography."

Biblical Archaeology Review has an article in the current issue defending Indiana Jones . . . complete with photos of real archaeologists, all wearing highly distinctive hats. It's available to the public on their web page (http://www.bib-arch.org/bar/article.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=34&Issue=5&ArticleID=16).