Browse lesson plans

A guided journey into the past

In Intrigue of the Past, page 5.7

In their study of archaeological resource conservation, students will use guided imagery to discover and judge an alternative way to enjoy artifacts without removing them from archaeological sites.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Visual Arts Education, English Language Arts, and Social Studies)

Pottery traditions

In Intrigue of the Past, page 4.5

Students will learn how Indian people of North Carolina made and used coiled pottery, summarize why archaeologists study pottery, and make and decorate a replica of a North Carolina coiled pot.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 and 8 Visual Arts Education and Social Studies)

Scientific inquiry

In Intrigue of the Past, page 1.8

In their study of scientific inquiry, students will use an activity sheet to make inferences about what activities go on at different places in school (desk, locker, etc.) and form an hypothesis about how space is used. They will also simulate how archaeologists learn about past people by designing and conducting a research project.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–9 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Resources on the web

National Museum of the American Indian

This website uses Flash technology to present online multimedia exhibitions about the history and culture of American Indians. An excellent online educational resource about codetalkers during WWI and WWII is also available. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Smithsonian Institution