So Easy A Caveman Can Do It was just the workshop I needed to spark my interest in archaeology! Dr. Schindler introduced us to many different technologies and how to create them authentically; such as stone tool making, net making, and creating fire. While there are the obvious safety concerns with children in public schools – I think there are the types of activities that would really work to get buy in from the more stubborn students – particularly male students.
Not only are there science curricular ties, but also bringing some of these demonstrations to the classroom would solidify some of the ideas that seem too archaic to be true to the modern student. As a teacher of world cultures I try to take my students and immerse them in the culture we are studying – music, art, literature, sports, industry – I could very easily see translating this same principle to immersing U.S. or World History students in a different time period.
Since my curriculum doesn’t cover U.S. history back to the time periods explored with Dr. Schindler, I began to think about experimental archaeology on a more global scale – such as the Inuit culture of Australia. While the technologies would be different and it would take a bit of research – I feel that a similar set of demonstrations and interactive exhibits (depending on the safety of the activity) would really put a ‘kick’ into the subject and help with motivation and interest of my 7th graders when we hit June. While it may require more research and preparation than is possible for this year – I am already thinking forward to next year and how I can integrate this into the classroom.
I would like to have a few sample tools to show students and have them brainstorm their different uses and what they were made out of. I would then reveal the answers for each tool and if the process was available for students to see and try – explain how specific parts were made. I would hopefully be able to then demonstrate some of the technologies that would be safety concerns for the students so they could witness the processes; such as fire creation (outside, of course), and flaking. Then, ideally I would have stations where the students could try some of the different activities that are lower risk, such as rope making, net making, and sand grinding – as they apply. As students worked I would have them think about time and energy expended, and how the processes could have changed to be more efficient over time. Also, I would discuss with the students the economic impact and the role of the natural environment on the tools use and creation.
While there are tons of activities and questions that could be asked based on what was learned from Dr. Schindler – I hope that I could provide a basic understanding of the value of such now primitive technology in it’s time and the effect it had on the population utilizing it. Any way I choose to use this information, one thing is for sure – I left this workshop with plenty of ideas, which is what I was hoping for!
