A. In this lesson, students are going to excavate like an archaeologist.

1. Life Sciences (3)

a)� Adaptations in physical structure or behavior may improve an organism�s chance for survival.

b).� Students know when the environment changes, some plants and animals survive and reproduce; others die or move on to new locations.

c).� Students know that some kind of organisms that once lived on Earth have completely disappeared and that some of those resembled others that are alive today.

2.� Continuity and Change

3.2� Students describe the American Indian nations in their local region long ago and in the recent past.

3.� Discuss the ways in which physical geography, including climate, influenced how the local Indian nations adapted to their natural environment (e.g., how they obtained food, clothing, tools).

4.� Discuss the interaction of new settlers with the already established Indians of the region.

A.� After completing this lesson, students should be able to:
1.� Use vocabulary correctly.
2.� Describe the process and sequence of an excavation.�

A.    �Journals, pencils, dirt, gloves, broken dishes, bones, buttons, jewelry, paint brushes, dust pan, rope, graph paper, rocks, screens, buckets, trowel, miscellaneous items, book, toothbrushes, water.

A.� http://lausd.k12.ca.us/, http://www.histarch.armstrong.edu. (open in new window)

B.    Read a children�s book about archaeology and discuss.� (Elena and the Coin).
1. This book can be about fossils (dinosaurs, etc.).
2. Introduce archeology, vocabulary and have a discussion.� Do a KWL
Vocabulary:� archaeology, archaeologist, trowel, area, excavate, area, scoop, swifter, shifting, climate.� (What we know, what we want to know, what we learned) chart about archaeology.�
3.  Introduce and show items and materials archaeologists use and wear:� trowel, gloves, scoop, swifter, screen, rulers, etc.
4. The teacher will present an area that has previously been prepared.� This can be done either outside or inside.� Have a large bucket or area where you have put dirt or sand. Place items such as broken dishes (be sure that they will not cut the skin), costume jewelry, food bones, etc. inside of the dirt.� To integrate Social Studies (Native Americans), materials or items used by Native Americans can also be placed in the dirt.� Materials from the community long ago can be placed in the dirt. This can be done inside in a large bin or container or outside in the ground or in a large bucket or container.�
5.  Teacher should show student how to excavate.� Take a surface scan, gently brushing with fingers or shovels or brushes the sand into one area.� When an item is found, if it is large, gently use a toothbrush to remove sand away from item. All items found should be placed in a bag and labeled.� Large items that may be a part of the feature; example, stones used for roads or walls, etc. should remain; small toothbrushes should be used to clear dirt from the feature.� Show students how to measure a level (example; 5cm).� All dirt should be scooped out from a level and screened.� After each level is finished, notes should be taken on the date, and description of the level and all items found.|
6.� Have students be archaeologists.
a) First take a surface scan; look at the surface; is there anything present? Take notes in journal.�
b) Have students excavate using their hands and small hand shovels or trowels gently moving dirt to uncover items.� Have then go no deeper than 5cm (or whatever is most convenient and depending on how deep the area is); this could be level one.� Have students measure, take notes in a journal of what they see; difference in soil, any items found and a description.� Have students draw a picture of what the level looks like; this could be done as a graph as well.� Any items found should be placed in some sort of bag and labeled; what is the item, date, what level, etc.� Parts of the �site� can be divided into sections or areas by using rulers and rope or yarn.� Have teams work in designated areas by taking turns.�� Have students write in their field journals everything that was found and a description of all items and each level and the name of the person who was excavating.
c) Have students continue excavating and screening by levels.�
d) All items bagged should be placed in the lab area.� These items will be lightly scrubbed with a wet toothbrush then dried and returned to the bag.�
7. Have a class discussion about what was found and the experience.� Complete KWL.

Students have an increased vocabulary and understanding of archaeology.� Archeology can help us learn about the past.

Students can use line levels as a form of measurement.�
Students can write a report on the items found and how they relate to what is being studied; for example: if Native Americans are being studied and items found in a site are corn cob or kernels, bones, leather, beads, etc., a student could explain how the items were used by the Native Americans.