Middle School “Stewards of the Past”

Discovering the world of archaeology, Mr. Townsend’s sixth grade students became “stewards of the past” learning the importance of “observing, recording, interpreting, and assessing retrieved artifacts from the soil. Working collaboratively, each class divided into groups. Students within each group brought in an item from home representing his/her personality. Using containers, the groups buried their items in sand or soil, then exchanged their containers with another group.  Using toothbrushes, paintbrushes, and tweezers the groups dug up the items carefully. Some of the buried artifacts were things like a cannonball, a shark tooth, chopstick, plate, and a belt buckle. Using excavation skills, students then worked to determine the owner of each artifact. Journaling their findings adding photos and important details, the groups presented their excavation projects through a “suitcase museum.” By the end of the project students learned excavation is a lot like life. To be successful, it takes a lot of practice and loads of patience.