CECmisc.54


TITLE:    ARCHAEOLOGICAL "DIG"

AUTHOR:   Katie Tener Gordy, Rosary School
          (Junior High), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT:     Appropriate for grades 6-8.

OVERVIEW:  Teaching students deductive reasoning is
simplified when one takes them on an "archaeological
dig.'

OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to
1. Examine a "mummy" covered in "volcanic ash."
2. Deduce "facts" about this mummy
3. Learn how archaeologists are able to learn so
   much from the remains of those from earlier
   civilizations.

RESOURCES:
Teacher Materials:  interesting clothing, jewelry, etc.

Student Materials:  keen eyesight and a willingness to
learn

ACTIVITIES:
1.   On the "dig" day, I dress in an Indian print long
     skirt, wear unusual Aztec jewelry, put a rosary in
     one hand and piece of chalk in another.
2.   I lie down on a table at the front of the room
     after choosing a reliable "dig" leader and telling
     the students that they have just discovered this
     mummy (me) under volcanic ash.
3.   The student dig leader begins to "explore" the
     mummy. I talk him/her through the exploration,
     urging him/her to look at my clothing, through my
     glasses,in my hands, in my shoes (I wear a special
     insert), etc.
4.   At the same time, I'm coaching the student
observers to think about what conjectures they might
deduce from what they see.