Scientists dig history

Teaching Pre K-8, Nov/Dec 1997 by Thorp, Carmany

Our goals for the project were to provide an authentic experience in historical inquiry. We wanted to answer the question "How do we learn about past cultures?" We also wanted students to learn how to apply the scientific method to other subjects.

The students' journals and lab report conclusions provided ample evidence that they had become genuine seekers of truth. We had all hoped to find proof that people had camped on the site, but other than the 1890 nickel, which we presented to the park, we found very little conclusive evidence that could be placed in that time period with any certainty.

Most heartwarming of all was the students' excitement at having participated in an event which attempted to add real information about history. How excited? Well, many of our sixth graders said to us, "When I grow up, I want to be an archaeologist."

Carmany Thorp teaches sixth grade at Laredo Middle School in Aurora, CO.