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Point of View
Learners participate in an inkblot test to discuss how what they see is different than their classmates. After viewing various artifacts, they write down what they believe the object is and then they are placed into a group to discuss...
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Decomposing Artifacts
Seventh graders participate in an experiment in which they calculate the time of decomposition of different materials. In groups, they fill bags with different materials and cover them in soil. After six months, they create a line graph...
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What Is It?
Learners view photographs of an area where artifacts where recently taken. Using the artifacts, they work together to try to determine the occupations, diet and other information about a specific group of people. They write an artifact...
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Mapping an Artifact
Students copy a present day artifact onto graph paper. In groups, they decide the scale of the drawing and create the picture using specific graphing points. They are also given photographs in which there are no graphing points and they...
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Gridding a 2 x 2 Meter Unit
Middle schoolers use the internet to examine what happens at an archeological dig site. In groups, they practice measuring a 2x2 meter square unit and gridding it out as an archeologist would do. They review the possible solutions at the...
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Gridding a Site
Students make observations of effigy mounds and record them in a notebook. In groups, they must determine the scale of measurement and create their own grid to scale part of the Effigy Mounds National Monument. They also practice using...
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2 x 2
Students work together to grid a 2 x 2 meter unit using the formula for the Pythagorean Theorem. After creating the grid, they identify the location of artifacts and create a map of their location. They develop a graph and table of their...
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Does This Belong to You?
Fourth graders examine legislation that has been passed to protect the rights and religion of Native Americans. In groups, they discuss their feelings on others taking artifacts from Native American sites and what they do if they find...
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Archeological Thinking
Sixth graders review the differences between a historian and archaeolgists. At a recent archaeological dig site, they examine the artifacts and determine their usage. In groups, they are given a bag full of artifacts and write down what...
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How Do We Learn About the Past?
Sixth graders discuss the role of an archaeologist as a class. After viewing photographs, they relate the objects found in their local area and Ancient Egypt. They draw a picture of an object that represents their own culture and gives...
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Pieces of an Artifact
Students review what an artifact is and discover what happens when only pieces of the artifact are found. In groups, they are given a picture of a small piece of an artifact found and they are to make the entire drawing of the artifact...
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What a Site!
Fourth graders are introduced to how to properly create a grid site. In groups, they use Cartesian coordinates to establish the boundaries for the grid and photograph the location of artifacts. They exchange their photos with another...
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Investigating the Mammoth Mystery
Fourth graders go on a virtual dig to find out where the mammoth bones found in a rural U.S. county came from. They determine whether the bones were created by humans or were they the actual remains of mammoths who walked the area during...
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People of the Past
Students investigate the four groups of people that existed in the U.S. before the European settlers arrived. They predict how the people arrived in the U.S., then investigate their predictions to find out whether or not they are...
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Before It Was Wisconsin-Rock Art
Students examine how archaeologists make use of all forms of artifacts including rock art to try to piece together past cultures. They make their own rock art so they have a feel for how such pieces were made out of natural materials.
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Culture Challenge
Students identify and classify characteristics of the four pre-European cultures in Wisconsin. They playing a game about the different characteristics that belong to each of the cultures studied.
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Rock Art
Students create replica symbols of rock are found in Wisconsin and work cooperatively to create a rock art panel. They observe rock art to find their meanings and reasons why they were created.
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People/Culture
Seventh graders explain both past and present examples of how people use of natural resources. They use the MVAC website to garther information about the prehistoric cultures in Wisconsin.
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The Skinny on Sororities
Students explore the boundary between membership exclusivity and illegal discrimination in private organizations by examining a recent case of alleged discrimination in a college.
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Geography: Where on Earth Are the Postage Stamp Countries?
Seventh graders research the six European "postage stamp" (small) countries and research interesting facts about them. In groups, they are assigned to one of the six countries of Andorra, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, or...
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Discover Woodland Culture: Wisconsin Basic Pottery Techniques
Students take a field trip to a local woodland to find pieces of clay. Once they are back in the classroom, they dry the clay throughly and turn it in to clay slip. They watch a PowerPoint presentation on basic art terms and create...
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The Atlatl System
Fifth graders are introduced to the atlatl system and how to test and control variables. In groups, they use the Internet to research how the system has changed over time. They test various variables and record their results in a graph...
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Pre-European Cultures of the Upper Mississippi River Valley
Fifth graders locate the Mississippi River Valley on a map. In groups, they use the internet to research the prehistoric periods of this area. They also examine artifacts and pictures and place them into chronological order. They...
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Exploration of Prehistoric Peoples of Illinois
Eighth graders begin their examination of the prehistoric period in Illinois. As a class, they discuss the role of archaeology in history and how it helps learn more about native peoples. After examining each period, they develop their...