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Archaeology and Prehistoric Mississippi lesson plan
Karla Smith, Biloxi, Mississippi
OVERVIEW
Archaeology is a growing field today because of the high level of interest
in the field and because of laws that prevent construction projects from
destroying an accidentally discovered site until studied or evaluated
by an archaeologist. It is essential for members of our society to be
knowledgeable about the field of archaeology and its ability to help us
understand the past. As we continue to develop our natural environment,
archaeology will be called upon to help evaluate undiscovered historic
sites. The field of archaeology can help us develop not only an appreciation
for the past as well as the present, but also evaluate the need for future
change.
CURRICULAR CONNECTIONS
Mississippi Studies Framework: Competencies 1, 3 and 4.
TEACHING LEVELS
Grades 7 through 12.
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
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Mississippi History Now article,
Archaeology and Prehistoric Mississippi |
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Butcher paper |
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Pen/pencil |
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Colored pencils |
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Construction paper |
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Glue and scissors |
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Plain letter size paper and/or notebook paper |
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Transparency, transparency pen and overhead projector
or chalk and chalkboard |
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One of the following Mississippi History on Loan
videos which are appropriate for junior high and adult:
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Seeking The First Americans
1980 58 minutes |
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Lost In Time 1983 60
minutes |
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The Early Americans n.d.
41 minutes |
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Myths And Moundbuilders 1981
58 minutes |
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Indians Of The Eastern Woodlands
1995 60 minutes |
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OBJECTIVES
Students will:
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define the following terms: artifacts, ceramics, lithics, ecofacts,
features, context, excavation and prehistory.
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describe the characteristics of the four prehistoric periods.
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explain why archaeology is necessary in the study of prehistoric
periods.
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create a diorama of one of the prehistoric periods.
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present an oral report.
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compose a job description for an archaeologist.
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OPENING THE LESSON
Prior to the lesson on archaeology and prehistoric times, the teacher
will instruct each student to bring an artifact from their home. The artifact
chosen by each student should represent something about the students
lifestyle. The teacher may also bring artifacts to class instead of requesting
that students bring one from home. The teacher will ask for student volunteers
to present the artifact they brought from home and explain what it means
about their life or question students about the teacher-presented artifact.
The teacher will ask the class how future generations would know the information
they shared about the artifacts if there were no written records. The
teacher will then explain why the field of archaeology is significant
in understanding the past.
DEVELOPING THE LESSON
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Have the students read the Mississippi History Now article,
Archaeology and Prehistoric Mississippi, prior to class.
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The teacher will use an overhead transparency or the chalkboard
to facilitate a class discussion on the four prehistoric periods
listed in the Mississippi History Now article. The teacher
can use a chart or web format in order to record student responses.
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The teacher will distribute the worksheet for the Mississippi
History Now article. The worksheet created by David Morgan,
the author of the Mississippi History Now article, can be
found at the end of this lesson plan. The students can be allowed
to work with a partner for this portion of the lesson. As the students
complete the worksheet, instruct the partners to explain what makes
the false statements incorrect.
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The teacher will ask for student volunteers to share their answers
with the class. If a statement is false, the student will be asked
to explain why the answer is incorrect.
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The teacher will show one of the Mississippi History On Loan videos.
Ordering information to request one of the videos can be found at
the end of this lesson plan. The teacher will have students record
notes while viewing the video. Several of these videos not only
give excellent information on the culture of prehistoric people,
but they also show how important an archaeologists is to the study
of prehistory. The teacher will ask student volunteers to share
important points addressed in the video as well as the importance
of archaeology to the study of the past.
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The students will be instructed to illustrate one of the four prehistoric
periods in a poster format or in a diorama. The students can be
assigned or allowed to choose groups of three for this portion of
the assignment. The teacher can allow the groups to choose a specific
prehistoric period or, in order to ensure a more equal representation
of the periods, assign the time period to the groups.
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After completing the poster or diorama, the students should complete
a written report that will serve as a basis for their oral presentation.
The students should address the following terms as they relate to
their assigned prehistoric period: artifacts, ceramics, lithics,
ecofacts and features. In the oral presentation of the poster or
diorama, the group should be sure to address these terms in their
description of the prehistoric project.
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Optional or additional activities:
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The teacher will facilitate a discussion about the field of archaeology
and the job of an archaeologist.
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The teacher will instruct the students to create a job description
for an archaeologist as well as a job application for this type
of position. The students should describe in job description any
special skills and knowledge as well as training that an archaeologist
would need for a job. Students can work with partners for this portion
of the lesson. The Web sites and sources listed in the Further Reading
Section at the end of the Mississippi History Now article
can be used as a resource as well as the Mississippi History On
Loan video viewed by the class.
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The students will present their job descriptions to the class.
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CONCLUDING THE LESSON
Students will present their posters, dioramas or job descriptions and
applications to the class.
ASSESSING STUDENT LEARNING
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Student participation during presentations as well as class discussion
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Responses to worksheets
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Written reports
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Oral presentations
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Posters
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Dioramas
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Job applications
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Job descriptions
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EXTENDING THE LESSON
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Access the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Web site
at http://www.mdah.state.ms.us
for its calendar of events. You will find listed a number of archaeological
activities at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians and Winterville
Mounds Museum.
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The brochure Indian Mounds of Mississippi: A Visitors
Guide can be ordered through the Mississippi Department of
Archives and History. It lists the American Indian mounds found
in Mississippi that are open to the public. Plan a field trip for
your students to one of the locations mentioned in the brochure.
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Access information concerning the Old Capitol Museums School
Outreach Program at the Mississippi Department of Archives and Historys
web site. The museum has traveling trunks on various Mississippi
history topics available to school teachers in Mississippi. One
traveling trunk is Prehistoric Archaeology and Mississippi.
The trunk contains information that can be used to teach how archaeologists
use artifacts to reconstruct the day-to-day lives of American Indians
who did not leave written records of their societies. Lesson plans
have been developed to use along with the artifacts and resources
contained in the traveling trunks.
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Students can work in groups and create an artifact based upon a
student-created culture. The artifact can be broken into pieces
and buried. Students can bury the artifact in order to simulate
an archaeological dig. Allow the student groups to piece together
the artifact in order to determine facts about the student-created
culture. Clay pots can be decorated with symbols from the student-created
culture and used as an artifact by the student groups.
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Allow the students to participate in an archaeological dig held
in your local area or take a field trip to an area that sponsors
student participation in archaeological digs. Many museums throughout
the state sponsor archaeological digs. Beauvoir in Biloxi usually
sponsors an archaeological dig for students in March or April each
year.
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Invite an archaeologists to speak to the class.
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The videos mentioned in this lesson plan can be ordered from Mississippi
History On Loan, a service offered by the Museum Division of the Mississippi
Department of Archives and History. Videos listed in its catalog are available
free of charge to Mississippi public schools and to eligible private schools.
Complete the required form (if you do not have one, call 601-961-4724
and ask the audiovisual coordinator to mail one to you). Mail the completed
form to: Mississippi History On Loan, Manship House Museum, 420 East Fortification
street, Jackson, Mississippi 39202-2340.
Indians, Archaeology, and Prehistoric Mississippi
Questions (PDF Format)
Indians, Archaeology, and Prehistoric
Mississippi Answers (PDF Format)
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