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The following web sites were reviewed by teachers participating in Eisenhower Professional Development and Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title II grants.Site name: Effigy Mounds Online Teacher Guide URL: http://www.nps.gov/efmo/parks/table_of_contents.htm Produced by: Effigy Mounds National Monument Grade levels: 1-12 Submitted by: Paula Charron Effigy Mounds National Monument's On-Line Teacher's Guide contains teacher prepared lesson plans on Archaeology and Mound Builders. Lessons are organized into four categories; grades 1-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-12. Very good information and ready to use lessons. Site name: Arch "kids" ology URL: http://collections.ic.gc.ca/archaeology/second/kids/kids.html Produced by: Grassy Island, Canada Grade level: 2-12 Submitted by: Ellyn Thibodeau This site is a collection of kids and teacher's resources. It is a treasure trove of games and puzzles. These activities are grouped into three different categories 7 years and younger, 7 -12 years, and 13 and up. The activities help individuals learn more about artifacts, stratigraphy and how sites are found.
Site name: Archaeological Adventure in Greece Site name: Voyage into Archaeology URL: http://www.educ.sfu.ca/archaeology/voyage1.htm Produced by: Jacqueline Dale and Mike Bowen, Simon Fraser University, 1996 Grade levels: 3-5 Submitted by: Carol Sparr Voyage into Archaeology is an interactive site where students make decisions and ask questions that an archaeologist may ask. An introductory page tells students what archaeologists do NOT do, and then an explanation is given telling what they do. This is explained simply, and serves as a good introduction to the subject of archaeology. Students click on the trowel to begin. Students are invited to be time detectives as they follow paths 1 through 4. They are to try to think like an archaeologist as they plan a field investigation. As students go through the paths they have the opportunity to explain why they made the decisions they did. They can take a look at the decisions a "more experienced" archaeologist may have made. This web site is high interest for students because they feel involved in learning. The vocabulary and directions are easy with good readability for fourth graders. They can easily navigate the site, and when key points are reviewed they are able to remember them. There is a good, basic glossary of terms included. Also, there is an "Ask the Archaeologists" and "Discussion Forum" available to students to carry their interests a step further. They can also visit suggested sites about careers, opportunities, and jobs in archaeology. Parts of this site are distracting and confusing. Students are able to view comments and questions left by previous visitors to the site. Many are poorly done, and while they could serve as examples of how NOT to ask questions on the internet, it would be preferable to not have them there at all. Also, students were told that someone "may" answer the questions they write. They were not told how to access answers in the event an archaeologist did respond.
Site name: Dig Magazine for Kids Carol Howard overview and comments: Janelle R. Nelson overview and comments: JoAnn Goodness overview and comments:
Site Name: Wisconsin Historical Society
Site name: Celebrating Native American Culture This is a site that contains lesson plans prepared by fourth grade teachers as part of Washburn Academy. This web site provides good information to 4th grade teachers about planning a unit on Native Americans and including information on archaeology.
Site name: Archaeological Analysis: Pieces of the
Past Site name: Archaeological Parks in the U.S. URL: http://www.uark.edu/misc/aras/ Produced by: This site was developed by the Arkansas Archaeological Survey and hosted by the University of Arkansas Grade level: 4-6 Submitted by: Margaret Kearns This web site gives you an overview of the archaeological parks throughout the country which have a web site. The purpose of this web site is to expedite finding internet information on individual archaeological parks. Criteria for this web site is predominately based on representation of Native American sites, mainly prehistoric or early historic. No strictly Euro-American sites were included because they tend to be identified as historic rather than archaeology sites. There are links from here that can take you to archaeological parks throughout the country. They are listed both by region and by state. The links take you to the individual state archaeology park web sites, and are very good for students in 4th-6th grade doing any kind of research. They are written in a manner that is at a level easy for them to comprehend. Some of the sites have good primary source pictures for students to refer to also. It would definitely serve as a research site, because there are no activities listed to accompany them. Each link to the state web site varies because the web site is sponsored by the individual state’s DNR. Some provide more pertinent information than others. I feel there is a lot of useful information for a student doing research in the study of archaeology, but that student needs to have the skills to pick and choose the appropriate information. I was disappointed there weren’t more archaeological parks listed for the state of Wisconsin. Otherwise, I feel there is a lot of valuable information connected to this site. Site name: Cave Art URL: http://members.aol.com/TWard64340/cave.htm Produced by: Tabitha Fabiola Miller Date: November 1997 Grade levels: 4-8 Submitted by: Sonia Evans The Cave Art web page is part of a larger site entitled Art Takes Time. Each page of the Art Takes Time web site is an art lesson plan for different art forms throughout history, including ancient civilizations. The design of this web page is very simple. There is a photograph of one of the cave paintings and a footprint border at the top of the page. The author included links to other prehistoric cave art web sites. These links are good sources for students who want to learn more about Stone Age tools and other cave paintings. Three of the four links are active. The last link, "Prehistoric Art and Adornment", is not an active link. All links can be found at the bottom of the page. The lesson plan found on the Cave Art web page follows the typical teacher lesson plan: Concept, Objectives, Vocabulary, Materials, Procedure, and Evaluation. It is for one activity, that of drawing cave art. There is no reference to the amount of time it will take to teach this lesson. The author assumes the teacher has an art background, as well as some background knowledge of prehistoric cave paintings. No background information on cave art is provided. Not all the materials needed for this lesson are listed in the "Materials" section. Reference is made to show cave art prints, but no source is provided. No student samples are shown. This art lesson ties in with Social Studies because in the first two steps of the lesson plan, students are asked to look at cave art prints and hypothesize the materials and colors used and identify the purpose of the drawings. I would recommend this page to teachers only. However, I would suggest some modifications to the lesson. This lesson plan could be divided into two plans. Each lesson would be 45 to 50 minutes long. The first lesson would provide background information on prehistoric cave art. Perhaps students could visit web sites dedicated to this topic. The second lesson would be the actual art lesson. This site does not appear to be maintained. Site name: Community Archaeology Program - The Online Guide to Archaeology for Kids URL: http://www.binghamton.edu/cap/kidindex.html Produced by: Public Archaeology Facility at Binghamton University Grade level: 4-8 Submitted by: Ruth DeJarlais The online guide to Archaeology for Kids is sponsored by the Public Archaeology Facility at Binghamton University. It has annotated links for kids divided by topics: Basic Stuff about Archaeology, North America before Europeans, Archaeology of African and Middle East, Early Humans, Historic Archaeology, and Games. There are also links for teachers including sample lesson plans and an alphabetized, well-annotated set of links to other online resources. Any teacher or student interested in archaeology should find some helpful links quickly here! Site name: Kids Dig Reed URL: http://www.kidsdigreed.com Produced by: Reed Farmstead Archaeological Site, West Virginia Department of Transportation Grade levels: 4-8 Submitted by: Shanon Rodenberg A good site about the process of archaeology. The main focus of the site is on historic archaeology (a 150 year old farm), but it does outline the process of archaeology. It contains games, puzzles, and a virtual site tour. Site name: Mammoth Mystery URL: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/kids/mammoth/main.html Produced by: Historical Society of Wisconsin Grade level: 4-8 - This site could be used as a supplement to any grade level. The lower grades would need a little more information given to them. The higher grades will be able to get by with less help. Submitted by: Ellyn Thibodeau and Mike Peacy Ellyn Thibodeau overview and
comments: Mike Peacy overview and comments: Site name: Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site URL: http://www.cahokiamounds.com/cahokia.html Produced By: Illinois Historic Preservation Agency Grade levels: 4-12 Submitted by: Jim Juech Wisconsin has a mound site known as Aztalan. This site has undergone many different scientific examinations over the last few decades. The results of those examinations varied from Aztalan being the home of cannibals to being an outpost for a larger culture to the South. These different interpretations sparked my curiosity about the Mississippian culture. Cahokia is the name of the main center, which is located in Illinois. This website is a colorful introduction to Cahokia and the Mississippian culture. When you open to this State of Illinois run page you have a choice of nine different areas. The site tour and map area is the best spot to see what the features of Cahokia are. It allows some comparison with the mounds found in Wisconsin. The color pictures of Cahokia’s features and the satellite view make this section really interesting to the lay person. Each picture has a description of the feature. A history of the archaeology/research of each site is presented here also. Monks Mound has an update that brings you the latest fieldwork that has been done at the site. The other pictures do not have as much detail as Monks Mound but are presented in the same manner with the background of the archaeology that has taken place at each site. The archaeology and links sections help the viewer to more clearly understand the Mississippian culture. Both sections help lead you to more information if you want to do further research into this very fascinating group of people. The Interpreting Cahokia area is more of a list of the areas in the visitor center. This section presents the questions that are asked in each visitor center area, but it does not answer the questions. The other areas are links to the museum society, visitor information, the gift shop, a welcome section, and an events and programs listing. Each contains more specific information on that topic. I was able to visit Cahokia this summer. This website did an excellent job of preparing me for what I would see and why I would want to see it. Students or teachers would be able to use this website easily. The photographs and artwork could be used in a classroom with a display device connected to the Internet. The background information presented would an excellent starting point in any student research project. Cahokia is an important part of a major culture in Wisconsin. This site allows anyone to see that importance. Site name: E Museum--Effigy Mounds National Park URL: http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/archaeology/sites/northamerica/effigy_mounds.html Produced by: Minnesota State University, Mankato Grade levels: 4-12 Submitted by: Michelle Nelson This is a very thorough web site that gives a wonderful historic backdrop for the Effigy Mound structures and other archaeological finds in the entire world. The opening page regarding Effigy Mound National Monument discusses the location and how many sites are within the park. The mounds were constructed between 2,500 BP to 400 BP. There is a detailed timeline of archaeologists who have explored the Effigy National Monument and the process they went through to create it. The menu button gives the user an opportunity to explore and learn more about archaeology. When one pushes menu, exhibits and finally, archaeology, the user gets to an area full of useful information and details that anchor people new to the field. The first button explores the history of archaeology and how it has changed over time. The other buttons under "archaeology" allow the user to explore: artifacts, dating, fieldwork, ancient technology, effigy sites throughout the world, underwater and virtual archaeology. The ancient technology link is full of detailed information. It allows the user to find information on: food preparation, metal smiting, stone technology, artwork, daily life, work of effigy builders and other societies, and science link for Egyptian topics. Another favorite link gives the user a chance to review field projects done by students and staff from the MSU, Mankato campus. It does, however, need some updating. The last entry was 1997. The dating technique link discusses all types of analysis done by the experts. It discusses several different ways of dating artifacts. It compares and contrasts the use of relative and absolute dating techniques. The Dating Exhibit page discusses the history and contributions of Willard Libby; a scientist that discovered that as time passes at a certain rate a formula can produce a precise age on an object. Some absolute dating techniques include archaeomagnetism, astronomical dating, fission track, thermoluminescence and uranium-thorium dating. The virtual archaeology page gives a helpful link with other carefully chosen web sites. It also discusses how computer technology has changed the way scientists compile scientific information on archaeological finds. The author notes that this technology has helped researchers to fill in gaps and use animation to produce theories. It also helps to fill in gaps for students of all ages and the general public. Several projects have been mapped and animated to show the user what an archaeological find may have looked like in the past. This site would be a good choice for upper level students to explore and find connections. I think that fourth/fifth graders would need an adult to guide them through the links. An older student would find this information fabulous for their studies. A younger child may become lost because of the fastness of the web site. The graphics are varied enough to give accurate portrayals of the effigy mounds from a bird's eye view. There are also photos of the experts and students at work at many archaeological digs. In addition, the web site contains timelines that are helpful for younger users when searching the past. It would be helpful for an instructor to view and share this web site with a class before going to Effigy Mound National Monument.
Site name: Introduction to Aztalan This site describes the historic site at Aztalan State Park near Lake Mill, Wisconsin. This site was most recently updated by Jim Neefe in 1997. I feel it is appropriate for grades 4 to High school. The reading is not too difficult and is well organized for easy access. This web site gives information about Aztalan, said to be the oldest "city" in Wisconsin, according to our 4th Grade Wisconsin, Yesterday and Today books. Aztalan is considered to be the northern most location of the Mississippian culture based in Cahokia, Illinois. The area is being reconstructed with the tall wooden walls of the fort. Pyramids ruined by farming have also been rebuilt. This informative and engaging web site has many pictures of the Aztalan including many aerial views. Some dioramas have been created to go along with text that describes what the mound and houses might have looked like at the time of occupation. There are pictures of the artifacts found in the area that are now displayed at the museum close by. The artifacts include projectile points, hammerstones, knives and scrapers, as well as jewelry found in a burial site, and pottery. There are good descriptions of the archaeological process, as well as the need to preserve the area. I found this web site while searching for someone to contact in order to schedule a field trip there for 4th graders. The field trip proved to be very much related to 4th grade Social Studies, as did the Internet site. I have found this web site to be very engaging and to provide good information on the "first city" in Wisconsin and archaeology. The pictures, especially of the mummy and bundled bones, are sure interest grabbers and will engage students in reading to find out what these are. We use this web site when discussing early people in Wisconsin, as well as in anticipation of our May field trip. Articles on Aztalan appear quite frequently in the local papers. Within the last couple of weeks, new evidence related to fishing techniques in the Crawfish River has been found because of the low water levels. There have also been recent articles on using thermal techniques to study this area and articles are often found in the paper related to the possibility of rock pyramids in the bottom of Rock Lake. Therefore, this web site can also be used for current event discussions.
Site name: Wisconsin Historical Society: Wisconsin
Archaeology Site name: Middle School Archaeology URL: http://www.usd.edu/anth/midarch/midarch.htm Produced by: Mary Engstrom, Amy Vollmer and Larry Zimmerman Grade levels: 5-8 Submitted by: Tim Sprain This site goes through a step by step questioning process that introduces many aspects of archeology. It leads the learner through several sites and answers many questions that pertain to background knowledge of archeology.
Site name: Celebrating African-American
Archeology and History Site name: Archaeology Jeff Hansen overview and comments: Myra Kay Bahan overview and comments:
Site name: The Archaeology Channel
Site name: Art History Resources on the Web Site name: The Cave of Lascaux URL: www.culture.fr/culture/arcnat/lascaux/en Produced by: French Ministry of Culture and Communication Grade levels: 6-12 Submitted by: Sonia Evans The Cave of Lascaux website is dedicated to the most famous ancient cave paintings ever found in France. Visitors to this site can view it in four different languages: English, French, German, and Spanish. It is very easy to navigate. Although the site is for anyone interested in cave art, it has information extremely useful for both teachers and students who study early man and ancient civilizations. The Home Page offers two main links: Discover and Learn. The Discover section of the web site allows the visitor to see how the cave was formed over time. Diagrams, photos, images, and a timeline help put in perspective the age of the paintings. The timeline is illustrated with pictures of comparable prehistoric cave art found throughout France. One unique feature of this timeline is that many of the paintings are hyperlinked to their corresponding separate web sites. Additionally, the viewer can find in the Discover section information regarding the cave’s discovery, and reasons why it was closed in 1963. A virtual tour of the different cave rooms will leave the viewer with a better understanding of this great achievement by early man. The Learn section deals with the artistic analyses and scientific studies of the cave art. Interpretation of the artwork, the recurrent themes throughout the cave, and the techniques and tools used by these early artists are explained in this section. Questions regarding how cave paintings are dated and what is causing them to deteriorate are answered here. Visitors can test their knowledge with interactive fun activities. Other minor links found on the Home Page help the viewer with navigation of the site, offer information for optimum viewing, and acknowledge supporters and contributors who are experts in their fields. There is a good balance between the amount of text found on each page and the illustrations. The average sixth grader can easily read and understand the information presented. Some technical words are highlighted. The definition pops up when the cursor is placed over the word. Overall, I would highly recommend this site to everyone, but especially to teachers and students. It is truly a very complete web site. The layout, the ease of navigation, the visual display of images and illustrations, all contribute to make it a perfect site to use in the classroom.
Site name: Endangered and Threatened Mussels of
Wisconsin Site name: Society for American Archaeology URL: http://www.saa.org/ Produced by: Society for American Archaeology Grade levels: 6-12 Submitted by: Mike Johnson This web site seemed to have a lot of information and opportunities for teachers with newsletters and workshop opportunities. A place where they are really trying to make the arch/ed connection.
Site name: Virtual Dating Site name: Archaeology: Interactive Dig Brooklyn
Site name: Prehistoric Pottery in the Park URL: http://www.nps.gov/hocu/ppt/text_pottery.htm Produced by: Jarrod Burks Grade levels: 9-12 Submitted by: Paula Charron Prehistoric Pottery in the Park - Very thorough explanation of the history of pottery production as well as important (and hard to find) information for any one that would like to try creating pottery using the materials and techniques of prehistoric people. |
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