National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service: U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
 
 
Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Effigy Mounds National MonumentKids at fire Point Overlook
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Effigy Mounds National Monument
Archaeology

 

Archaeology

Strand: History, Math, Social Studies, Science
Grade Level: 4 - 6
Duration: 3 - 4 45 minute class periods
Location: classroom
Objective: Students will learn about the process of archaeology.
Materials: So What is Archaeology? pre and post tests
What Does an Archaeologist Do? sheets
Bag o' Artifacts activity
paper lunch sacks
small wading pool or sandbox
spoons
toothpicks
magnifying glass
sand
various objects
toothbrushes
knife
bag of chocolate chip cookies
Archaeology word finds & crossword puzzle
Vocabulary: artifact
Procedure:
  1. Introduce the lesson with the So What is Archaeology? pre-test.
  2. Go over the So What Does an Archaeologist Do? sheets with the class.
  3. Plan an archaeological dig using a small child's wading pool filled with sand or a sandbox. Hide objects in the sand and ask the students to dig in the sand with spoons until they find four objects. The objects will lead them to an occupation. They must decide what occupation is being represented by the artifacts uncovered.

    For example:
    Teacher - apple, chalk, whistle, red pen
    Carpenter - tape measure, hammer, nail, pencil
    Grocer - can of food, coupon, receipt, plastic bag
  4. Do Bag of Artifacts activity. Have students decide what they would put in the bag to represent themselves.
  5. Ask the student what someone would find if the school would be a dig site 200 years from now.
  6. The students now get to try their hand at archaeology. Give students a magnifying glass, two toothpicks, a toothbrush (not everyone will need one), and a chocolate chip cookie. The task is to remove a chocolate chip from the cookie and keep it intact. This will take some time so allot a whole class period for this activity. Discuss what made this so difficult. See if students understand the careful processes involved in archaeology.
  7. Assign What Belongs in the Mound? activity from Junior Ranger Booklet.
  8. Assign Digging Deep activity from Junior Ranger Booklet.
  9. Assign crossword puzzle (answers), word find 1 (answers), word find 2 (answers)
  10. Give students So What is Archaeology? post-test.(answers)
 






[Index] [1-3 Grade] [4-6 Grade] [7-8 Grade] [9-12 Grade] [Glossary] [Cover]

Effigy Mounds National Monument

 
Marching Bear Group  

Did You Know?
In the South Unit of Effigy Mounds National Monument, the Marching Bear Group of 10 bear mounds, three bird mounds and two linear mounds represent the best preserved group of effigy mounds present today from the Effigy Mound Culture.

Disclaimer Accessibility Privacy Policy FOIA Notices USA.gov

Last Updated: August 15, 2009 at 17:14 EST