ArtifactInquiry.pptVIP

Artifact Inquiry Goal: Working in groups, students will identify the functions of previously unknown objects by their appearances and/or structures. Background:When archaeologists dig up artifacts, many times they are unearthing certain objects for the first time and must guess the function based on appearance. Further digs in similar locales may shed more light on these objects and give greater credence to a researchers proposed identification. “Artifact Inquiry” simulates part of the process that “real” archaeologists use in their work. It is an excellent activity for beginning the year in history since archaeology is a fundamental source of our information on many past events and cultures! Check out a Web site with an interactive dig! What’s the procedure? Step #1 Each student will be put into a team of 3-4 people. You need to work together with each other step-by-step! Step #2 Each team will be given an initial object to examine. Step # 3 Working as a team… Examine the object Brainstorm ideas for what the object was used for Read the directions on the “Brainstorming Web” sheet and choose a scribe to fill in the sheet (4 minutes) Step #4 Final Steps! Rotate the objects clockwise, so that each group examines each object Repeat steps 2-4 for each object that your group examines Once all teams have examined all objects, teams will be paired to share their ideas for usage and their names for each object Closure On a clean sheet of paper, students will write the answers to the following questions in their notebooks. Reflections on“Artifact Inquiry” Did your team identify the correct name and use(s) of any of the objects? If so, which objects? List three things that you learned from doing this simulation. When working in your team, what is one thing that you did well? What is one thing that you would do differently next time you work in a team? * * Main page Mystery items (Help identify an artifact and post your ideas on the bulletin board) In BIG letter