Online Resources
There are many ways to connect with archaeology online. The resources below are just a few. I have also added links to lesson plans and activities appropriate for children ages K-12.
Teaching Resources
SCAPOD educator resources- The SCAPOD website offers activities for students to learn about both archaeological research and past cultures. Click here to see the plans the SCAPOD offers.
​
National Parks Service Junior Ranger program- This NPS program allows kids to connect with national parks in a way specifically designed for them. Once enrolled (you must visit a park and ask about the program) kids earn certificates and badges. A few can even be completed online! The Junior Ranger program offers booklets geared towards kids about Section 106 (check out blog post 2) and archaeology in the southeast. If they like these, they can even become a NPS Junior Archaeologist!
​
Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute- This is not an online resource but it it great nevertheless. The institute offers classes for teachers every year on various topics related to early American history including courses on American identity, women, and African-Americans in the 18th century. If you teach American history at all, please consider one of these courses during your summer break.
​
Digging into the Colonial Past: Archaeology and the 16th-Century Spanish Settlements at Charlesfort-Santa Elena (Lesson Plan)- This lesson plan focuses on the early colonial history of the United States at America's first capitol city of Santa Elena and the French fort that was there before the Spanish. Students will be introduced to what has been dubbed by historians as "America's lost century," colonialism. and the impetus for the European powers' westward exploration. Click here for more information.
​
Colonial Williamsburg Lesson Plans- As a part of their Kids' Zone page, Colonial Williamsburg offers lesson plans for teachers who want to incorporate colonial history into their plans for a class. Click here to check them out.
​
More Lesson Plans to Come Soon!
​
Activities for Kids
Colonial Williamsburg Kid's Zone- The Colonial Williamsburg Kids' Zone offers activities and online games for kids. These games focus exclusively on the 18th century and do not technically incorporate archaeology. However, they do teach history and government in a way that kids can get excited about. Click here to go to the CW Kids' Zone!
​
The British Museum Underwater Archaeology Game- This game allows you to explore and analyze an ancient Greek shipwreck. Find the artifacts, conduct research, and plot the journey of the ship before it sank! Click here to give it a shot.
​
Excavate!- This game allows you to step into the shoes of an archaeologist in charge of excavating a graveyard site in Poland. Choose your team, select your tools, and excavate the site. But be careful, you have to make sure you keep your credibility by conducting public tours and using your time wisely.
​
Dig-It! games- These games are available for purchase via app stores. Even though they cost money, these games allow kids to step into the shoes of an archaeologist at a Greek, Roman, Mesoamerican, Mesopotamian, or Byzantine site.