During the next month, all 6th graders at Eckstein will be converting their social studies and language arts classes into museums. Each team will focus on a different region of the Eastern Hemisphere, including Egypt, Greece, Rome, and China. Our team will focus on the rich cultural history of Africa. Each student will create a reproduction of an African artifact and write a caption explaining the historical and geographic context of the object. Their work will be on display during the Eastern Hemisphere Museum Night on March 11, 2010 at 6pm.
On Monday, February 1, students will receive a letter that summarizes the project and lists important due dates, which they must get signed by a parent/guardian and return to Mr. Miller and Ms. Falls by Friday, February 5, 2010.
The first step is for students to select a topic. We’ll begin by assigning each table to a region in Africa. Students will first record general information about the geography and people of that region using the topic selection worksheet on the back of the family Letter. Next, students will list their top two artifacts choices on the front page of the family letter. Parents/guardians should then sign the letter showing that they agree that the artifact choices would provide an appropriate challenge for their student.
When the letters are turned in on Friday, February 5, Mr. Miller and Ms. Falls will notify students which topic is approved. Since we are looking for a variety of artifacts for the museum, not every student will receive their first choice.
Artifact Ideas
Here are some of the common artifacts students often choose to make. Students are not limited to these choices and originality is encouraged!
- Statue, sculpture, or stone carving
- Mask or headdress
- Jewelry or beadwork
- Clothing, blankets, or fabric pattern
- Musical instrument
- Pots, bowls, or eating utensils
- Scale model of a house or village
- Diorama of a ceremony or other scene from daily life
- Game or sport equipment
- Tools or weapons
- Replica of money or valuable objects
Example Artifacts from Previous Eastern Hemisphere Museums
Click each image for a larger view.
