Time Detectives: Digging Up the Story of the World

We started school this week! Can you believe I have a Second Grader and a Pre-K? Although there was a lot of "extra" stuff going on in my life this week, it turned out to be a really great week. Our school theme for the year is "Digging Up the Story of the World" and the kids are Time Detectives. Their goal throughout the year is to solve some of histories mysteries. We are going to focus on the Creation of the Earth, ancient history through Rome, and end the year doing some Family History. Tanner has really gotten into his role as a Time Detective and says our school room is just like a Detective's lab and LOVES it. I am so glad since I felt like I did not do a whole lot to our school room...

First "Night" of School

We decided to do an archaeological dig for the first night of school. We opted for nighttime since it was in the 100s during the day and wanted the kids to actually enjoy it. Howard Carter (archaeologist who discovered King tut's tomb) visited the kids and taught them a little about how to be a Time Detective.

The kids got to dig in Howard's backyard where they found an artifact symbolizing each civilization/time period they will learn about throughout the year.

"Howard" helping Tanner dig for artifacts.

Then, we got to hear from a real archaeologist who showed us slides from her most recent digs. The kids, especially Tanner, had lots of questions for her and were really impressed.

Listening intently...

It was a great way to kick off the year and got us all excited about being Time Detectives!

Jurupa Cultural Center

On Thursday we had our first field trip-green shirts this year!

We visited the Jurupa Cultural Center where we met another archaeologist and learned all sorts of neat things. The kids got to do another dig-this time where they found real artifacts! Based on the artifacts they found, they used their detective skills to figure out what these things were used for. Hunter found animal bones, a knife made out of bone, charcoal and arrow points. He dug up a hunting site!
Tanner found a grinding stone-he dug up the kitchen area!

Some of the kids who dug a little deeper even found parts of dinosaur bones. We also got to go to an Earth Science Museum and make arrowhead necklaces.

You know you are a real archaeologist when you get as dirty as this kid!

I really enjoyed this field trip. Tanner must have too because when we got home he sat still in his seat for about half an hour writing all about it in his journal.

Good thing we got to cool off and go swimming for PE later that afternoon...

I am really looking forward to this school year!