Curated OER
Looking for Clues
Young scholars infer the cause of a shipwreck based upon information about artifacts found in the wreck. In this marine archeology lesson, students use an inventory list to infer the cause of a shipwreck. Young scholars discuss the...
Curated OER
Ancient Hunters of the Great Lakes
Students describe theories on how the first humans came to America and show the evidence that supports it. In this investigative lesson students study given material and prepare written or oral reports in their groups.
Curated OER
Who Owns The Past?
Students research the validity and legality of ownership. Through the use of primary sources, web based and print media research, students become familiar with and evaluate the varying viewpoints regarding the...
Curated OER
Dell House Dig
Pupils experience an archaeological dig exploring off the shore of Black Hawk Island and Wisconsin River. They study in the same place where the infamous Dell House once stood. Dell House and its historical significance is reviewed...
Curated OER
Name That Point!
Students compare projectile point attributes, identify and classify points, and match projectile points to a chronology.
Curated OER
The Artifact Problem
Students work in small groups and make a map of a familiar room. For this artifact lesson, students decide on a suitable scale for their maps, the tools they will use and how they will make it and decide on strategies they would use to...
Curated OER
Human Tools: From Stone to Iron
In this tools activity, students read about the tools used during the Stone Age and how the process of smelting lead to a great change in tool making. Then students complete 3 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Primary Sources and Archaeology in the Study of Ancient Mediterranean Trade
Tenth graders begin the lesson by plotting trade routes, major empires and items traded. Using primary sources, they examine their own values regarding trading items for royality. They participate in a role-play exercise in which they...
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Dinosaur Eggs
Students hunt for dinosaur eggs that the teacher has made and hidden on the playground. students open the eggs to find the dinosaur inside and experience archeology first hand.
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Intrigue of the Past: North Carolina's First Peoples
Young scholars study the archeological history of North Carolina in this series of lessons.
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Fossilworks
Students research fossils and fossil formation. They explain how fossils are formed, identify fossil formations and use casting plaster to produce fossil replicas.
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Shells on the Mountain Top?
Students work in groups to remove fossils from sediments, classifying as many organisms and parts of organisms as possible into major groups. They study the data from each formation and make conclusions about the types of organisms and...
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Dig This Dinosaur Relief Lesson
Students create low-fire ceramic relief sculptures of dinosaur bones. They incorporate art history, aesthetics, and criticism with hands on activity. Students work together to draw an enlarged skeleton on butcher paper. The Stegosaurus...
Channel Islands Film
Cache: Lesson Plan 3 - Grades 4-5
Should the excavation of what is believed to be the cave of the Lone Woman of San Nicholas Island be allowed to continue? As a practice exercise designed to prepare pupils for a timed writing exam, individuals read two Los Angeles...
American Museum of Natural History
What's This?: Early Humans
Early humans crafted shelters out of whatever materials they could find. A one-question quiz asks learners to identify the type of bones used to construct the hut pictured in a display.
Channel Islands Film
Arlington Springs Man: Lesson Plan 1
Learning to craft quality questions is a skill that can be taught. Class members use the Question Formulation Technique to learn how to create and refine both closed-ended and open-ended questions. They then view West of the West's...
Curated OER
Animal Poetry
Fourth graders write poems that use local wildlife as their inspiration. After a class discussion which produces a list of wildlife that pupils have seen in their town, a review of three types of poetry ensues. They look at how...
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Leaky Seal
Junior high schoolers explore possible theories for the cause of the Hunley submarine sinking. Through hands on activities, they investigate how to create a waterproof seal. Afterwards, they discuss how seals work and various...
Curated OER
Torralba Site Activity
Sixth graders examine the Pleistocene era. In this geology lesson students complete a site activity.
American Museum of Natural History
Einstein in Time
Einstein sure had an interesting life. Using a remote learning resource, pupils examine a timeline of Einstein's life. They learn about the major scientific discoveries as well as humanitarian and social work. Additionally, they read...
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Digging Deep
Learners investigate the job description for archeologists and share their findings with the class. They research a current archeological dig and present their material to the class.
Curated OER
Kincaid Creatures
Students brainstorm a list of nocturnal and diurnal wild animals they see in their community and discuss how the animals would be different if they were living during the Ice Age. Using a handout, they discover how archeologists record...
Curated OER
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.