J. H. Johnson MS, Washington, D. C.
Lesson: ‘DIG DIG”Description:
Students will unearth an unknown fossil to understand how archaeologists work.
Standards:
7,1.1 Trace the great climatic and environmental changes that shaped the earth and eventually permitted the growth of human life. (P1)
Chronology & Historical Interpretation (P2)
1. Students explain how major events are related to one another in time.
2. Students understand and distinguish cause, effect, sequence, and correlation in historical events, including the short-term cause or sparks from long term causes.
7. Students recognize that interpretations of history are subject to change as new information is uncovered.
Outcomes
Enduring understanding:
· Through the efforts of archaeological teams events in history have been uncovered / unearthed and reconstructed to tell histories past.
· Painstaking efforts are taken to ensure that the uncovered artifacts are recovered in the best possible condition.
· Addresses World History Standard 7.1.
· Cooperative student groups will participate in a simulated archaeological dig to understand the complexities of this process.
Lesson:
· Students will view the beginning action sequence to Raiders of the Lost Ark.
· Teacher will review the archaeological process and tools used by archaeologist.
· Students will view the archaeological dig scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark looking for archaeological tools that are being used.
· Students will be divided into archaeological teams. Teams will select its head archaeologist.
· Each team will be given an archaeological plot containing wooden dinosaur bones.
· Students will unearth these bones and catalog them by tracing each bone on paper and numbering the bone. (Note: This paper will contain several different bones on it.)
· Students will build the model of the dinosaur using the directions from the model kit.
Assessments:
· Each cooperative group will complete an “Expedition Report.”
· Each cooperative group will be graded based on the Dig Dig scoring guide.
DIG DIG
Expedition Report
Who is the leader of this archaeological project? _____________________________________________
Who are the other members in your expedition?
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
Where is this expedition going? _____________________________________________
What will this expedition be looking for? _____________________________________________
What tools were used in this expedition? _______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
How many different bones were cataloged?
___________
Was the group able to successfully reconstruct its fossil? __________
What did the fossil represent?
_________________________________________
Signature of the project director ________________________________ Date _________
DIG DIG
Group # _____ Project worker’s name ______________________
Catalog sheet # ___________
Scoring Guide for:
“Dig Dig”
Lab # 1
“DIG DIG”
Task:
· Students will be divided into cooperative learning groups.
· Each group will select a project director.
· Each group will uncover the fossils found in the box using the simulated archaeological tools provided.
· Each fossil will be cleaned.
· Each fossil will be traced, cataloged and numbered.
· After all fossil pieces have been collected; the group will reconstruct the pieces to determine what the object was. (Note: The students will use the directions to assemble their object.)
· The project director will complete the final project report.
Exemplary: 90 – 100
All proficient criteria are met plus:
Cooperative group completed the building of the model.
Proficient: 80 – 89
Cooperative group completed the final project report.
Cooperative group unearthed all fossil pieces.
Cooperative group cataloged all fossil pieces.
Cooperative group attempted but did not complete the building of the model.
Progressing: 70 – 79
Cooperative group completed the final project report.
Cooperative group unearth all fossil pieces.
Cooperative group began but did not complete the cataloging of the fossils.
Cooperative group attempted but did not complete the building of the model.
Not Yet Meeting Standard: 64 – 69
Cooperative group did not complete the final project report.
Cooperative group did not unearth all fossil pieces.
Cooperative group began but did not complete the cataloging of the fossils.
Cooperative group attempted but did not complete the building of the model.
Failing: 63 and lower:
Cooperative group did not complete the final project report.
Cooperative group did not unearth all fossil pieces.
Cooperative group did not attempt to catalog of the fossils.
Cooperative group did not attempt to build the model.
