Lesson Plan

What Is (and Isn't) Archeology?

Grade Level:
Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Subject:
Science,Social Studies
Lesson Duration:
60 Minutes
Common Core Standards:
4.RI.4, 4.SL.1, 4.SL.1.d
Additional Standards:
National Social Studies Standard Correlation:
K-4:2b, 2d, 2f
5-8: 1c, 2d, 2f
Thinking Skills:
Understanding: Understand the main idea of material heard, viewed, or read. Interpret or summarize the ideas in own words. Evaluating: Make informed judgements about the value of ideas or materials. Use standards and criteria to support opinions and views.

Essential Question

What is true and false about archeology?

Objective

Students will: 1) Separate facts from misconceptions about archeology; 2) Define key terms; and 3) Identify archeological artifacts as opposed to paleontological fossils.

Background

This lesson plan is one in a series that uses archeology to teach concepts everyone needs to know. It can be used as-is, or be customized with images, objects, or stories representative of a particular park or place. Other lesson plans in this series are:

Preparation

Choose a short clip from a movie that popularizes archeology, such as Indiana Jones or The Mummy to show on an overhead screen.

Collect chart paper and markers.

Print out the file "Archeology True False" and cut apart the strips.

Print out the file "Artifacts and Fossils Images" and cut apart the images. (Note: Customize this lesson plan by using images of archeological artifacts and paleontological fossils from your park or place.)

Materials

Download Archeology True False

Download Artifacts and Fossile

Lesson Hook/Preview

Show students a clip from a movie series such as Indiana Jones or The Mummy. After showing the clip, explore the influence of popular culture over their perception of what archeology is, or isn't. Do they think archeology is something different than the movie shows? What do they think archeology is? How do they know?

Procedure

1. Play a game called Archeology: What Is True? What Is False?

  • Show students the chart paper. Draw a line down the paper to make two columns. Write "True" at the top of one column and "False" at the top of the other column.

  • Pass a sentence strip to each student. Have students take turns reading a strip aloud. Lead the class through a discussion about where the strips belong on the chart. Tape the strips to the chart paper.

2. Take the students through the process of recognizing that they may have identified some truths and some misconceptions about archeology.

  • Share these definitions: "Archeology is the study of the past based on the material evidence that people left behind." "Archeological artifacts are objects made or used by humans." "Paleontology is the study of animals and plants through their fossilized remains, such as dinosaurs." "Fossils are the mineralized remains of plants and animals."
  • Ask the class if these definitions change their minds about to which column each strip belongs. As a class, discuss which strips to move, and why.

3. Separate the students into groups of 3-4 people.

  • Pass out an assortment of pictures. Ask the groups to sort the pictures into two piles: one showing artifacts and the other showing fossils. They should refer to the definitions of artifact and fossil to do the sorting.
  • Show students a second piece of chart paper. Draw a line down the paper to make two columns. Write Artifacts at the top of one column and Fossils at the top of the other column.
  • Call on each group to share their pictures and their findings with the rest of the class. If they disagree about where the pictures go, have students use the definitions to explain their reasoning. Once all agree, have the students tape their pictures onto the paper.
  • Continue with the rest of the groups.

Hang up the two sheets of chart paper. Recap with the students what they have learned that archeology is, or isn't. Ask, "What do you know now, that you did not know before about archeology and paleontology?"

Vocabulary

Archeology: The study of the past based on the material evidence that people left behind

Artifact: An object made or used by humans

Fossil: The mineralized remains of an animal or plant

Paleontology: The study of animals and plants through their fossilized remains
 

Assessment Materials

Writing Activity

Students will process the lesson by writing 1-2 paragraphs.

Students should answer in their writing activity:

  • What are the definitions of archeology, artifact, paleontology, and fossil?
  • How does popular culture impact our understanding of what is true or false?
  • How has my understanding of archeology changed?
  • Why is it important to know what is true about archeology, and what are common misconceptions?

Contact Information

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Tags: archeology archaeology

Last updated: January 10, 2024