Let's Learn About the Past

As a teacher, it is my responsibility to make sure all my students learning needs are met, as well as to make sure my classroom is fun. Particularly in social studies, sometimes it is necessary to bring the past to the present. Some students just simply cannot grasp concepts about the past, because they cannot physically see or feel the topic that is being presented. They have difficulty taking abstract concepts and making them concrete. To help students to develop thinking historically and to learn about the past, a fun activity that teachers can implement in their classroom is called, artifact bags. 


In order for the artifact bags to be effective for student learning, certain aspects need to be completed. The teacher should model good classroom practices and treatment of unrelated artifacts. Students need to know that artifacts are extremely delicate and important to history and must be handled with care. Next, the teacher can distribute an artifact bag to each group and students can examine the artifacts. Students are using the inquiry process and asking themselves questions such as: 1) What is this?, Where is this from?, What was this used for etc?. Students can write down their questions and responses on paper as they examine clues to organize their though process. Next, students can unwrap the book and make connections from the book with the artifacts. The book should be able to answer whether the students' hypotheses' were correct. 

Personally, I enjoyed presented my artifact bag to my group of teacher candidates. I was able to receive excellent feedback as to what was great about my artifact bag, as well as what I need to work on. I enjoyed aligning the artifact bag project with a corresponding book and website because it allows students additional ways to learn the material. 

Artifacts allow students to observe, question, and to use their higher order, critical thinking skills. Students carry out the scientific method and inquire about the artifacts.Using artifacts also allows students to make a tangible and kinesthetic connection. Students are able to hold the object and examine it, which is a motivational strategy that brings a period of history to present day life.