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Puzzles From the Past Traveling Trunk

Teaching Manual

This trunk is designed to examine Native American topics as it introduces middle school students to basic archeological concepts such as observation and inference, classification, research and time lines, and ethnographic sources. The lessons are designed to stand alone. For example, it is not necessary to complete lesson 3 before doing lesson 4.  Worksheets, photographs, and other materials needed to teach the lessons are not included in this online version of the manual.

Introduction with standards

Observation and inference lesson.

Lesson 1 - Archeology, What is it? - Examine Native American objects representative of the Wichita Indians while learning that archeologists study human culture.

Lesson 2 - Observation and Inference: How Archeologists Know What They Know - Explore Native American artifacts and a half size footprint of a Wichita grass house while developing observation and inference skills.

Lesson 3 - Classification:  How Archeologists Know What They Know - Compare pottery sherds while learning to develop criteria and classify objects.

Lesson 4 - Dating:  How Archeologists Know What They Know - Analyze and compare four Kansas cultures ranging from prehistoric American Indian to late 20th century while learning the importance of dating and the relationships between artifacts, archeological site features, and the environment.

Lesson 5 - Ethnography:  How Archeologists Know What They Know - Read about the Pawnee culture while learning the importance of ethnographic sources.

Lesson 6 - Site Preservation:  Why the Archeological Record Needs to be Protected - Role play a scenario while learning about the ethical issues that surround the protection of archeological records of our past.

Glossary and Appendix

 

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