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Effigy Mound Activity
Learners research effigy mounds of Native people in Wisconsin. They create large models of effigy mounds in a given area based on factual information from their studies and research.
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Gridding An Archaeological Site
Students investigate using some of the basic skills of an archaeologist while using a Cartesian coordinate system. They establish a grid system for a dig site and determine the locations for different artifacts. Students use the...
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Remains of the Day
Students consider how archaeologists discovered and pieced together artifacts that indicate a Celtic presence in ancient Turkey. They research ancient civilizations and create archaeological digs containing items representative of these...
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Preserve is the Word
Students investigate a list of archaeological ethical questions. They select a question/issue and design a 3-minute (maximum) PSA to persuade the public to agree with their idea. They conduct research or interviews with experts to be...
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A City Lost and Found
Students hypothesize about the origins of the Incan lost city of Machu Picchu. They examine archaeological methodologies used by researchers to piece together the history of the site and create an audio tour of the location for visitors...
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Treasure in the Trash
Students decode archaeological artifacts in order to recreate an event, using discarded objects as a model for real-life artifacts. They apply this model to reconstructing historical or literary events from artifacts they create.
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We, the First People
Young scholars explore new support regarding the earliest peopling of America by examining multiple theories on the migration of the first people to America, investigating related archaeological finds, and creating research-based...
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Ancient Mediterranean Trade Fair
Sixth graders begin the instructional activity by discussing how artifacts are located. In groups, they define the terms supply, demand, resources and trade and discuss how the United States is affected by International trade. They use...
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Clues to the Past
Students analyze how arhaeologists study the past. They define basic archaeological terms, make general inferences from observations, and explain the importance of context.
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It's in the Garbage
Students analyze how studying garbage relates to methods of archaeology. They examine garbage to determine things about their culture and relate that to prehistoric peoples.
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Forensic Detectives: Archaeology at Work
Dig in! Middle schoolers learn about archaeology by exploring the remnants of the Chiribaya bodies found in Illinois. Compare archaeological investigations, and then write a mystery detailing the discovery of a body! Consider bringing in...
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Culture Everywhere
Students study their culture while filling in a chart that shows how culture meets basic human needs. They examine the role of archaeologists in studying people from past cultures.
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Digging Into the Past
Fifth graders study fossils and how they are charted. In this fossil lesson plan, 5th graders research the excavation process of discovering fossils, and view fossils. They then do a hands on activity that involves plastic fossils that...
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Archaeology and Prehistoric Native Americans
Young scholars study the terms paleontology and archaeology and examine how they can help us learn about prehistoric Native Iowans. For this archaeology lesson students discuss these terms and view a video on Native Americans.
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The Uluburun Shipwreck Project: Interconnections through Trade in the Late Bronze Age Mediterranean World
Ninth graders examine causes and effects of the Uluburun shipwreck. In groups, they develop their own ways to categorize the artifacts found on the ship and decide on the research questions they are going to focus on. They use the...
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Exchange of Goods and Ideas in the Ancient Mediterranean
Ninth graders begin the lesson by discussing and locating the trade routes in the Mediterranean. Using pieces of pottery and coins, they discuss how it shows the culture of an area and create a chart showing the value of the coins. ...
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Interpreting An Archaelogical Site
Pupils study the site of an archaeological dig site in order to begin looking at how they can be interpreted. They look at a soil profile and respond to a research question that simulates a real site. The other questions are used to help...
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Pottery Analysis
Students study how archaeologists analyze artifacts to answer questions about past cultures. They explain why pottery is important to archaeologists and how they use classification to answer their research questions.
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The Wrecks of Urca de Lima and San Pedro
Students complete a variety of activities that go along with the study of and possible fieldtrip to Urca de Lima and San Pedro wreck sites in St. Lucie and Monroe Counties in Florida. They discuss the importance of preserving such wrech...
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Archaeological Detectives
Young scholars, in groups, examine in depth one aspect of forensic archaeology to determine the skeleton's age, gender, and possible cause of death. To do so, students must first explain what is involved in each aspect of forensic...
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The Social Contract
In this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about The Social Contract by Rosseau. Students may check some of their answers on the interactive worksheet.
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Ancient Origins: The Role of Archaeology in Reconstructing the Past
Students read information about the ancient origins of art and archaeology with a focus on the Malian culture. In this art origins lesson, students read background information for the topic and compare ancient and contemporary objects....
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Experimental Archaeology: Making Cordage
Young scholars make a cordage and use an activity sheet to experience a skill that ancient Native American in North Carolina neded for everyday life.
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Shipwreck Mystery
Students study web pages on a shipwreck then locate where this took place on a map. In this marine archaeologist instructional activity students examine what clues archaeologists use to find the location of a shipwreck and what they...