Online Learning Activities

Prehistoric Pueblos: A Native American Cultures Activity

Students head to New Mexico on a virtual trip to explore 1,000-year-old Native American ruins with a team of experts.

  • Grades: 3–5, 6–8

Through the “Prehistoric Pueblos” activity (grades 4–8), Scholastic and the Earthwatch Institute offer students a thrilling opportunity to explore 1,000-year-old ruins, believed to be the ancient settlements of early Native Americans. They’ll discover important artifacts, including Pueblo pottery, with help from archeologist Karl Laumbach and historian Dennis O’Toole, who lead the exploration team. During the mission, students learn the importance of record keeping on archeological sites.

The activity, which features text, images, and audio, also lets students: 

  • Read teacher Shayne Russell’s daily field reports that detail her findings in New Mexico
  • Get to know two explorers, research teacher Shayne Russell and Karl Kaumbach, an archeologist who’s directed hundreds of digs
  • Be an explorer by researching Native Americans local to their area

 

Learning Objectives

While participating in the “Prehistoric Pueblos” activity, students will:

  • Discuss the importance of exploring and preserving ancient artifacts
  • Read online texts from the field sites and field reports to build comprehension of the process of exploration and to gain an understanding of other cultures
  • Use a variety of technological and informational resources to conduct research about their state's past and present Native American cultures
  • Gather, evaluate, and synthesize data from a variety of sources
  • Communicate their discoveries in the form of a presentation or an informational essay
  • Trace historical developments of a specific culture
  • Identify the values, lifestyles, and cultures of varied Native American groups

 

 

  • Subjects:
    Native American History, Research Skills, Archaeology, Anthropology, Homes and Housing, Native American, Native American Heritage Month
  • Skills:
    Online Sources, Research Skills
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Supporting Resources

Native American Cultures Teacher's Guide

Resources for teaching the "Native...
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