What is it Like to Be an Archaeologist?

Description

COMING UP WITH an interesting way to teach your 6-8 graders about archaeology is difficult for you, look no further, What is it Like to Be an Archaeologist? is a project based activity for your collaborative groups that is enticing, challenging and fun.  When you see that your students are engaged and excited about learning, you may remember why you became a teacher in the first place.

⎈SO MANY KIDS LOVE TO ROLE PLAY⎈

They’ll have their chance because they’ll become a member of an archaeological team in order to complete this activity. Initially, students will break into groups of four and assume a specific role. Secondly, they’ll go on an imaginary archaeological expedition and find some broken up clay pots with strange markings. Thirdly, the groups will work as a team to assemble the fragments. Finally, they’ll be able to draw conclusions about the symbols in order to make educated guesses as to what these artifacts were used for in this resource, What is it Like to Be an Archaeologist?

So instead of just talking about archaeology, writing definitions, and answering questions, which will turn them off, they’ll have a good grasp of what they’re studying because they’ll be active rather than passive learners.

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT ASSESSMENT? 

No worries!  A written assignment is included with the package.  In addition to this, there are also grading rubrics for both history and ELA. This is especially helpful if you also teach language arts.

Soon after kids have taken a test, they forget what they’ve been taught.  I’m positive What is it Like to Be an Archaeologist? will leave a lasting impression and will be something they’ll remember even after they’ve left your classroom.

⎈COMMON CORE STANDARDS⎈

WHST.6-8.1, WHST.6-8.1a, WHST.6-8.1b, WHST.6-8.1c, WHST.6-8.1d, WHST.6-8.1e, WHST.6-8.2, WHST.6-8.2a, WHST.6-8.2b, WHST.6-8.2c,
WHST.6-8.2d, WHST.6-8.2f, WHST.6-8.4, WHST.6-8.5, WHST.6-8.6, WHST.6-8.7, WHST.6-8.10

⎈ EXPERTS HAVE POSITIVE OPINIONS about project based learning:⎈

⎈ PBL is an effective and enjoyable way to learn and gain better learning competencies required to be successful in school and life.
⎈ Many kids find education boring and meaningless, with PBL, they’re engaged and active rather than passive learners.
⎈ Common Core and other educational standards emphasize real world applications of knowledge and skills that help promote problem solving.
⎈ PBL helps students better understand the content and retain it longer than the traditional approach.
⎈ Collaborating with others helps build character.

♥ THIS IS HOW TEACHERS FEEL about this activity.♥

 ♥ “Just what I was looking for.” A buyer
 ♥ “Fantastic!” Adam Domenico
 ♥ “Great resource, Thank You!” Brianne Rachel 

⎈THE FOLLOWING ITEMS are included⎈

⎈Complete Lesson Plans
⎈History Rubric
⎈Language Arts Rubric
⎈Individual Student Rubrics
⎈Student Assignment
⎈Definitions
⎈Journal
⎈Illustration & Description of Artifact
⎈Definitions Answer Sheet
⎈Contact Information

I CAN REMEMBER being a student and feeling bored out of my mind while sitting in history class. Unfortunately, all the teacher did was lecture. As a result, I spent my time watching the clock and wishing I was some place else ANYPLACE else! Without a doubt, I learned very little that year.  After becoming a 6th grade teacher I  began to appreciate ancient history. That was when I vowed to make it come alive for my children. Of course I didn’t want them to go through what I did. That negative experience gave me the impetus to use PBL learning in most of my teaching and I’m so glad I did.

⎈YOU CAN USE this activity for:⎈

⎈Gifted classes 
⎈ Middle school
⎈ High School
⎈ World History classes/ELA classes

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