What Is In The Bag?

Creating my own artifact bag was extremely exciting. The focus of my bag was on the first 
Thanksgiving and the Native Americans. I did not have any personal artifacts from that time period; therefore I used artifacts that represented the first Thanksgiving and the Native Americans. I used a small pumpkin to represent the first Thanksgiving, and I used a rock to represent Plymouth Rock, and a gold coin to represent Jamestown. I also used a beaded, authentic looking, bracelet and some feathers. After creating my artifact bag, I presented it to my classmates and they had to guess my topic and the importance of each artifact. I loved this project because it allowed me to have control over my own social studies learning while having fun. (My artifacts are listed below) :)

The artifact bag project I completed was an entirely new experience for me. I have never created an artifact bag before, let alone I have never heard of this project. I did not know the many learning benefits of creating an artifact bag. I learned that creating an artifact bag is extremely useful within a social studies classroom. This project helped me develop my pedagogical knowledge through experience. Going through the process, methods of teaching my assigned topic, and learning from my colleagues, allowed me to recognize the true value and purpose of the project. I recognized the development of the project and all of the hard work and dedication it truly takes to create an excellent artifact bag. I also recognized the classroom management aspect. Students were truly focused on figuring out what their artifacts would be and creating a positive learning experience. 

Overall I thought this was an extremely rich learning experience. It helps get students researching and developing information to find certain artifacts. Such historical artifacts, or artifacts that represent historical times, could help bridge the gap between the present and the past for students. This project would help students build and master their critical thinking skills and learn all about history. At the end of this project students would have analyzed information, applied the appropriate standards, recognized similarities and differences between different topics in social studies. Students will have learned to search for information, facts, and evidence. Students would also draw inferences or conclusions based on their topic, predict, and transform their knowledge.Though this project may seem simple students are actually learning a great deal of information, not just social studies but every day concepts and learning tools they would need. I am truly grateful I had the opportunity to experience this project and learn all about it. Not only did I enjoy the project but also it opened my eyes and gave me new ideas that I will definitely be incorporating in my future classroom.

Here are the artifacts that were found within my artifact bag! 

My POWERPOINT! My powerpoint is a short powerpoint that I used as a guideline to help show what i included within my artifact bag, the story I would use to teach a lesson based on my artifact bag, and a chart full of questions that I ask myself and fill in as I explored and observing each artifact. 

Here is an example of the chart I created with the questions I would have answered while looking at the artifacts. 

Here are some videos to check out and further your understanding on the First Thanksgiving! I hope you enjoy! 

1. The story of Thanksgiving

2. The Story of The First Thanksgiving