K-12 Archaeology
This page is designed to provide educators with information on how to engage students in archaeology. Archaeology may be used to teach a variety of topics within many different subjects such as: art, health, language arts, math, reading, science, and social studies. The Information below includes excavations at the Dowden's Ordinary Site, archaeology lesson plans and modules, and hands-on children's programs.
Archive of Archaeology Lesson Plans
This is a resource for educators who want to use archaeology to engage their students in lessons about culture, history, language, art, science and a multitude of other disciplines and topics. All lesson plans on this page work with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Curriculum Standards.
Introduction to Archaeology Concepts (PDF, 
) by Tara Tetrault
Introduction to Archaeology Mapping (PDF, ) by Doug Kraus
Introduction to Archaeology & Stratigraphy (PDF, ) by Daniel Hutton
Scientific Steps Taken by Archaeologists in the Field (PDF, ) 6th grade level, by Traci Fairbain
Teaching the Archaeological Process (PDF, ) by Nancy Kapp
1753, Maryland History, Social Studies & Reading Comprehension Exercises (PDF, ) 4th grade level, by Nancy Kapp
Archaeology at Dowden's Ordinary (PDF, ) by Tara Tetrault
Excavating Layers: a Prehistory Lesson Plan (PDF, ) 3rd grade level, by Linda Bechtle
Artifact Catalog (PDF, )
Excavation Record (PDF, )
Layer Interpretation Report (PDF, )
Outline of Art & Archaeology Lesson Plan (PDF, ) 2nd-5th grade level, by Debbie Vanegas
Maryland Native American Pottery (PDF, )
Civil War Quilts (PDF, )
Cultural Landscape Analysis of Sleeter Lake (PDF, )
Ear Scoops and Toothpicks (PDF, )
Living in a Material World (PDF, )
Looking Back in Time (PDF, )
Military Artillary (PDF, )
The Mill as an Artifact (PDF, )
) 2nd grade level, by Susan Lambrix) 10th grade level, by Cheryl PokornyThe Maynard Burgess House Sitenew window was excavated by the Department of Anthropology, University of Maryland, College Park.
The Maynard Burgess House Archaeology Curriculum Module by Tara Tetrault
This module is based on the excavation completed by the University of Maryland, of
a free African American household in Annapolis, Maryland. Teachers can use the module
to engage children by completing activities that mimic the things archaeologists did
on the site. Students analyze the history, identify objects that represent the artifacts
found at the site, and learn to interpret data found on the site. This module teaches
students about archaeology, African American culture, and material culture. The exercises
enable students to participate in the scientific investigation and the interpretation
process that archaeologists use in the field and laboratory.
) 4th grade level, by Linda Brill) 6th grade level, by Cynthia Goodman
Teachers contributing lessons to the archive received Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits or funding through a grant with the National Endowment for the Humanities. If you have an idea for a new archaeology lesson plan and you would like to see it on the Archive of Archaeology Lesson Plans you can earn CPD credits by contacting tara.tetrault@montgomerycollege.edu for review of the lesson plan.