Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World
Information for K-12 Teachers
Think Like an Archaeologist
The Joukowsky Institute is one of the founders of Think Like an Archaeologist, a program for 6th grade students in the Providence Public Schools, developed collaboration with RISD Museum at the Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University’s Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology. In connection with this program, and reflecting our support for connecting with a wide range of audiences through archaeology, we have gathered a list of online resources.
Online Resources
Here are just a few of the many online resources for teaching archaeology to K-12 students:
The AIA website includes a range of resources, from "Archaeology 101" to lesson plans to listings of education and outreach events.
A collection of very detailed lesson plans, searchable by Topic and Subcategory (e.g. "Mapping the Past" for Grades 6-8, "The Alphabet is Historic" for K-2, and "Hammurabi’s Code: What Does It Tell Us About Old Babylonia?" for 9-12)
A searchable database of hundreds of lesson plans; a search for keyword "archaeology" and grades 6-8 yields 34 lesson plans, including "Gone, but Not Forgotten: Exploring the Role of the Afterlife in Royal Burial Practices in Ancient World Cultures" and "Can You Dig It? Examining the Significance of Artifacts Found in an Archeological Dig" (in which students participate in a mock archaeological dig)
A collection of background information, activities, lesson plans, and other resources as well as examples of how others are using archaeology in the classroom
Outlines the requirements for a merit badge in archaeology, and includes a worksheet on archaeology
Includes an introduction to learning about archaeology and three lesson plans ("Archaeological Thinking", "Layers of the Past", and "Puzzle Pieces")
An extensive compilation of links to lesson plans, organizations, workshops, and other educational resources
Collection of links related to archaeology, including books and websites for young learners, and archaeology curricula
A listing of books and links related to teaching archaeology
Information and links about how to use archaeology as a teaching tool as well as places to see archaeology in action, lesson plans, and online activities
Engage with National Geographic Explorers and transform learning experiences through live events, free maps, videos, interactives and other resources.
Museum Educational Resources
Many museums provide teaching guides around their collections.