Petroglyphs - The Stories They Tell

Focus of Lesson: To discover petroglyphs as a primary source, to learn to describe petroglyphs and to identify what they are trying to communicate (the main idea), and to identify the unique way that different cultures record their history.

Standard Assessed:

History Standard 2: Students know how to use the processes and resources of historical inquiry.
2.2 Students know how to interpret and evaluate primary and secondary sources of historical information.
Grades K-4

• describing sources of historical information;
  
• identifying the main idea in a source of historical information; and
  
• identifying ways different cultures record their history.

Standards to be Addressed:

History Standard 2.2 (see above)
Information Literacy Standard 1: The information literate student accesses information efficiently and effectively.
Information Literacy Standard 2: The information literate student evaluates information critically and competently.

Assessment:
A petroglyph activity sheet will be used to record students descriptions of the primary source, identification of the main idea, and identifying how different cultures record their history.

Time: One class period (2 hours).

Materials:

• "Stories on Stone" by Jennifer Owings Dewey
• Examples of primary sources- letters, posters, postcards, including examples from students own work.
• Copy of 'Petroglyph Activity Sheet' on transparency for use with overhead projector, or open Word document on computer for use with computer projector
• Overhead projector or computer projector
• Computers with Internet access (1 per student)
• Copies of the 'Petroglyphs Activity Sheet' (one per student), or Word document on computer for them to type responses onto.
• Pens or pencils

Possible Procedures:

1. Students will have background information about petroglyphs from a previous reading, "Stories On Stone" by Jennifer Owings Dewey.

2. Explain to students that petroglyphs are primary sources- actual records that have survived from the past. Show them examples of other primary sources, letters, passports, posters, postcards. You can show them examples from the students own work, to demonstrate the point that they also leave behind records of their history, just as people from other cultures have left behind a record of their history on the petroglyphs.

3. Students will be given a 'petroglyph activity sheet' with instructions for an online search of petroglyphs on the CDP website.
   

4. Teacher will demonstrate the steps of the petroglyph activity with class participation, by following the steps on the worksheet, and modeling the activity of finding a petroglyph on the database, describing a petroglyph, discussing what the petroglyph is trying to communicate, and comparing and contrasting how different cultures record their history.

5. After the class has understood the modeled activity, students will begin their search on the CDP website. The petroglyph activity sheet can be used to record information or students can record their information onto the computer directly.

6. To bring closure to this activity, class will compare and contrast how different cultures record their history.

- Elizabeth Brubaker, Lewis-Palmer Elementary School