Artifacts We Don't Dig Up - Part 3
Analysing the Objects
Form the students into teams of 3-6 students. Assign each team the corresponding number of objects and partially-prepared report forms. Each team will then measure, weigh, evaluate its color, texture and decoration, and describe its uses, who made it, how they made it and who owns it. At some point in the study they will need to photograph the object. After being developed, the photos can be attached to the report forms to make an interesting class/school poster.The record sheets found in Discovering Our Past Through Historical Archaeology are designed for statistical analysis and are not well adapted for non-dig studies. We suggest using an alternative report form. The student study teams will fill out one form for each object they study, using it as a basis for their oral reports.
Let's see how this will work. Brian, Shawnita. Robert, Kristen and Rebekka are in one group, Mahmud, Fatima, George, Latikia, Jessica and Thomas in the other. Each group has one artifact per student (You may need to bring in a couple of artifacts yourself to cover students who fail to bring in something.) and one partially-completed report form.
The students begin measuring, weighing and describing the artifacts. You can monitor their progress inobtrusively as you photograph the objects and students at work. They move on to discussing what the artifacts tell us about the past, how things are done differently today (or the same, if that is the case).
When the students are done with their classroom examinations, you can introduce the oral informant(s) and let them talk about the object, its history and its significance in their family. Summarize the students' and informant's information and relate it to the lesson objective. Remind the students that they will make posters incorporating their report forms and photos.