Procedures and Assessment

Procedures

1.  Students should be prepped up to two weeks before the dig with vocabulary and appropriate videos. It's also a good idea to conduct various in class assignments to familiarize the students with various archaeological dig techniques.

2.  Assign eight of the most responsible students as square supervisors (two supervisors per square). Assign one artist/photographer per square, and two sifters per square. The remaining students function as diggers. These positions can be switched every week to give everyone a chance to participate in different areas.

 3.Every day:   Photos first, top plan drawn

                             Check supplies

                             Line levels as needed

                             Start pottery pails

                             Fill out notebooks

Do this before you start to dig. It helps if you can combine two class periods for a total of 1.5 to 2 hours per day, 4 to 5 days a week. Ten minutes before class ends, gather up all materials.   Each square is responsible for their materials.

Assessment

Almost any format for grading can be followed depending on how many teachers are involved. Since so much of what the kids do is hands-on,  I have broken down a criteria that is based mainly on student participation. I tell the kids that they will be graded daily on the following areas:

1.  Participation/being on-task

2.  Cooperation with others

3.  Attitude

4.  Completion of written work/assigned tasks

Each area constitutes a fourth of their grade. Each student should be graded individually. Square supervisors will become very concerned that they will get a bad grade if their fellow supervisor, artist/photographer, etc. slacks on his/her responsibility. Reassure students that although group participation is key, their grades will not suffer if one or more members of their assigned square refuse to cooperate.

Go to Materials Needed