Lesson Plan
SUBJECT:Anthropology
TOPIC:Methods of Collecting Information
GRADE LEVEL:3
CREATORS:Roni Abdul-Hadi, Leslie Blelis, Trish Henry, Christy
Heugh, Steven Saleh
Goal
To have students become aware of anthropology and the methods of collecting
information in order to make conclusions about people and culture as an
archaeologist does.
Objectives
Students will be able to
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understand a basic concept of anthropology
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understand a basic concept of archaeology and the archaeologist
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work in cooperative groups to achieve a goal
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identify and make assumptions about items found on an "dig"
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discuss findings within the group
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report findings and assumptions to the class
Materials
Bags or boxes containing items or pictures of items that might be found
in specific areas or used by specific people
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Party: party hat, horn, streamers, party invitation, confetti
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School: pencils, erasers, paper, ruler, crayons
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Bathroom: toothpaste, brush, comb, mouthwash, toothbrush, shampoo
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Sports Field: bat, ball, football, tennis racket, wrist band
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Concert: sheet music, harmonica, flute, guitar, music notes
Procedure
Students will
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Receive an overview of anthropology and archaeology.
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Be read to from I Can be an Archaeologist by Robert Pickering.
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Divide into cooperative learning groups.
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Assign a discussion leader and a scribe.
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Become part of an "archaeological dig" that will come across some interesting
but puzzling items.
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Examine a bag or box of soil containing items that they will "dig" for.
Their task is to become detectives to make conclusions about the area from
which the items came.
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Construct a list of items they find in the bag or box of soil and draw
a conclusion about the area from the item, like an archaeologist.
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Have the group presenter share the findings and conclusions with the entire
class
Evaluation
Observe the ability of students to draw conclusions based upon the items
in the box.
Tying It All Together
Discuss with the class how they arrived at their conclusions about the
area which they observed. Follow up this activity with studies about ancient
peoples and/or archaeology.
Resources
Pickering, Robert. (1987). I can be an archaeologist Chicago:
Regensteiner Publishing, Inc.
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