Overview:
This lesson could fit into the curriculum of Grade 7, “Ancient and Classical Civilizations in the Mediterranean to the Fall of the Roman Empire: Ideas that Shaped History.” Towards the end of the academic year, when students have learned about several major and very influential civilizations, the teacher should discuss the importance of artifacts in shaping our understanding of the past.

Objectives:

• To differentiate between primary and secondary sources
• To introduce the concept of the historical artifact
• To understand how archaeologists and historians draw conclusions based on surviving evidence

Time needed:

• One 40-minute class period

Classroom setup and materials:

• computer and projector
• chalkboard or white board

Procedure:

1. Begin by asking the class if they know what a primary source document is.
2. Define primary source as opposed to secondary source. Solicit examples of each from students and compile a list on the board.
3. Review definitions of archaeology and artifact. Tell students that an artifact is like a primary source document. Both are evidence that people from the past leave and that we interpret.
4. Click through the pages of the Daisie Miller Helyar scrapbook. Explain a bit about her biography and about the period (1906-1910) covered by the scrapbook.
5. Explain that she was a normal young woman who collected materials that were important to her. Ask students this question:
6. “What can we say about Daisie based on the materials in her scrapbook?” When students have responded to this question, ask them if there are things we do not know about Daisie.
7. Give the students 10 minutes to complete the following task: “List 3 things in your backpack today and imagine what conclusions a future historian might draw from them.”
8. Ask for examples from the class. Ask students these questions:
9. “Does your backpack offer a complete picture of you? What does this tell you about the accuracy of history?” These questions should present the opportunity to discuss how history gets written, and to discuss the possibility of gaps in the historical record.