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Tools of the Archeologist
Students review the job of an archeologist as a class. While viewing a PowerPoint presentation, they guess the use of the tool before the next slide is shown. They also discuss when the archeologist would use each of the twelve tools...
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Point of View
Students 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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What Is It?
Students 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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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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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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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
Young scholars 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
Young scholars 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...
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The Institutions of Government: The Judiciary
Students explain the difference between tribal, state and federal sovereignty. Using the internet, they read Supreme Court cases that focus on Native American law. They compare and contrast the view of the case from the Native...
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Tailoring Two Cultures to Adapt to Wisconsin's Biotic Zones
Students examine the effect of the various ice ages on Wisconsin. In groups, they create a map representing the five geographic regions of Wisconsin. They must write out a description of each region to be placed on a poster board. ...
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Half-Life Lab
Middle schoolers participate in a lab in which they are introduced to carbon-dating. In groups, they use the holes of paper from a hole puncher and determine the rate of retention after shaking coins onto the same area. They record...
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The Great Plague of 1665
In this Great Plague of 1665 activity, students read several passages about the Bubonic Plague. Students learn its origin and how it spread.
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Tolerance: Gender Issues
Students explore why some professions have been gender-dominant in the past. In this lesson, students identify some professions that have typically had one specific gender employed in the past, then research that job to see when it...
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A Visit to Prague
Ninth graders explore why people visit Prague. In this Czech Republic instructional activity, 9th graders read an article and answer guided questions. Students participate in a spelling test on new vocabulary.