An Artifact Story

WINTER, 2007-2008

During this expedition, 2nd graders study the Native Americans of six different geographic regions of North America.  The expedition begins by looking at our own classroom culture and the artifacts that represent our culture.  Students then explore artifacts from the six different regions, which help tell the story of the people in that region and their culture.  The artifacts demonstrate how the geographic location of a group of people influences the development of their culture.   Students visit the RMSC multiple times to examine and sketch an artifact from one of the regions.  The students investigate different aspects of the each culture including transportation, shelter, food, clothing, and beliefs.  Children tell the story of his/her artifact through sketching and poetry and work with a crew to tell the story of the Native people the crew is studying.  Oral traditions play a major role in the culture of Native people.  Throughout the expedition, students look at stories from the Native people and how the stories are a defining part of their culture.