Mound Builders in Indiana

Mound Builders in Indiana

Kathryn Potter
4th grade
10:20-11:00

Lesson Explanation: Students will learn about the first prehistoric people who lived in Indiana after the Ice Age. They will learn about the different groups and stages of civilization in Indiana. They will learn that these prehistoric groups built mounds. They will engage in an inquiry as to why they built mounds. They will study the artifacts these people left behind and learn about their purposes, and thus the people’s way of life.

Indiana Academic Standards
• Social Studies 4.1.1 Native American Indians and the Arrival of Europeans to 1770. Identify and compare the major early cultures that existed in the region that became Indiana prior to contact with Europeans.
• English 4.2.9 Recognize main ideas and supporting details presented in expository (informational texts).

ISTE Standards
2. Design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assessments
3. Model digital-age work and learning
1. Students will present their findings from Day 1 to the whole class.
2. Students will turn in their “archaeological dig” notes and their Ten Questions they would ask the Angel Mounds people.

Assessment
3. Students will submit an “exit card” on a post-it with one thing they learned about the Mound builders of Indiana.

Prior Knowledge:
Curricular Knowledge or Skills: Students learned about the Ice Age – they will learn the connections between the Ice Age and the prehistoric Indians. They also will learn the correlation – fossil is to Ice Age as artifact is to prehistoric people.
Technology Knowledge: Students have used the Internet many times in the Technology centers. They know how to scroll and highlight and magnify sections of the website they wish to focus on.

Technology:
Internet Resources: (please list URLs)
http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/files/mounds_trail.pdf
http://www.gbl.indiana.edu/
http://www.angelmounds.org/

Procedure:
Day 1: Class will review what they learned about the Ice Age. Prehistoric Indians will be introduced by reading from their Indiana History textbook and the pull-down map of North America. Mounds will be introduced in reading of textbook and discussion.
Students will divide up into six small groups. They will each investigate using a different media as to WHY prehistoric Indians built mounds.
1. Old Indiana History textbook (with page assignments) 2. Very Old Indiana History textbook (with packet copied from it) 3. Indiana Indians book 4. Angel Mounds Activity Book 5. Mounds of Earth and Shell book 6. Mounds State Park brochure accessed via www.in.gov in the computer corner
Day 2: Students will present their findings to the rest of the class. The reasons will be summarized on the board during a whole class discussion.
Day 3: Students will review purposes of the mounds. Class discussion of HOW we know that people built them and lived there (from artifacts) just as fossils tell us of the geologic history. We will discuss Angel Mounds and what is an archaeologist. Students will break into groups – each with a packet of photos from the website of Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology (used with permission). On a log entitled “Archaeological dig” students will use descriptive words to describe at least three artifacts in the photos.

With their groups, they will come up with ten questions to ask the Angel Mounds people if they could go back in time. They will then describe how they might go about finding the answers to their questions since they can’t ask them.

Day 4: Students will be given extra time to finish the work they started in their groups. Using the Smart board, the class will look at photos of the Angel Mounds site on their website.
Students will then submit their work and their exit card on a post-it note.

Differentiated Instruction

ESL
Students who are English-language learners will be paired with other students who will assist them in reading and word choice in their writing.

Challenge/Extend
Students may read further in their groups if they wish and may add to their report.

Students may sketch the artifacts they are describing.

In Art class the next week students will reflect on their study of the artifacts and create their own artifact out of clay.

Special Needs
Students will be paired with students who will assist them, whether it be in reading or writing. In groups, students with physical limitations will be seated where they will be able to have a comfortable and active part of the discussion.