12th Grade Archaeology Lesson Plan (Social Studies)

Topic: archaeology

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to define archaeology and explain its role in understanding human history and cultural development.
• Students will be able to identify the different subfields of archaeology and explain the work done in each.
• Students will be able to explain the different stages of the archaeological investigation process and explain their role in the overall process.

Materials

• Chart paper or whiteboard and markers
• Handouts with information about different subfields of archaeology (e.g. anthropology, conservations, geoarchaeology, etc.)
• Handouts with information about the different stages of the archaeological investigation process (e.g. survey and excavation, data collection and analysis, etc.)

Warm-up

• Have students work in pairs to complete the following activity: Give each pair of students a piece of chart paper and a set of markers. Tell them that they are archaeologists working on a new excavation site and they have to draw a schematic of the site, including any features or structures they find. After about 5 minutes, have each pair of students share their drawings with the class and discuss any similarities and differences they notice.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the topic of archaeology and explain that archaeologists are scientists who study past human cultures by excavating and analyzing evidence from the sites where they lived.
• Provide students with examples of different types of evidence that archaeologists use, including artifacts (physical objects), features (such as buildings or structures), and materials (such as soil or clay).
• Discuss the importance of documenting and preserving archaeological sites, and the ethical responsibilities that archaeologists have to the communities whose sites they are excavating.
• Inform students that they will be working in small groups to complete an activity related to the principles of archaeological excavation.

Direct Instruction

• Distribute the handouts with the worksheets to each group of students.
• Walk students through the worksheets, providing assistance as needed.
• Have students use the provided artifacts or other materials to create a mock archaeological site, including a map of the site and a list of the types of evidence that have been discovered there.
• Have students present their mock sites to the class and discuss the types of evidence they discovered.

Independent

• Have students choose a real archaeological site to research.
• Have students create a presentation on their chosen site, including a map of the site and a list of the types of evidence that have been discovered there.
• Have students present their presentations to the class.

Closure

• Review the importance of archaeological sites in understanding the past.
• Ask students to share what they learned about their chosen site and how it contributes to our understanding of the past.

Assessment

• Observe students during the independent practice activity and provide feedback on their understanding of the significance of the site they chose and the archaeology they learned about it.