Early Elementary History resources? I'm looking for some great resources to explain to my 6 year old how historians make sense out of the "clues" that are discovered by archaeologists. I want her to understand how something like discovering an ancient clay pot can tell people today something about the lifestyle of people thousands of years ago when pieced together with other artifacts from that time period. I want her to know about the process of putting the clues together and that a lot of it is just kind of guessing based on written accounts and that sometimes we don't know if what was written down about that time period was true or not. Does all that make sense? I'm not looking for a full on curriculum (although I keep hearing good things about Mystery of History, which sounds like it might be along the same lines?), more just books and websites and other resources. Any help would be great, I have no idea where to even start!
http://www.amazon.com/Archaeology-K...588460&sr=1-1&keywords=children's+archaeology Really cool book, but this might be a bit too science based for what you're describing....since it goes into how scientific techniques prove why the "guesses" are based on solid evidence and how the conclusions are reached. If you're looking for something that discredits science, you could try a religious bookstore? Here's another cool one that would be better for someone who is six....but again, science based: http://www.amazon.com/Archaeologist...ut-Science/dp/0064451755/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_y My daughter loved these books. If science isn't your thing, maybe try a young Earth creationism website?
That second book describes pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. Anything else you know of that is along those same lines? Also looking for things regarding modern history - how historians sift through written accounts to develop ideas about how things occurred in the past, etc.
Archaeology I can help ya with....written history not so much. Sorry. Lot of others here that LOVE history might be able to chime in
http://www.amazon.com/National-Geog...d=1409590321&sr=1-6&keywords=kids+archaeology Cause all kids love mummies. http://www.amazon.com/Painters-Cave...=1409590391&sr=1-22&keywords=kids+archaeology Can't go wrong with Chauvet Cave! http://www.amazon.com/Kids-Guide-Lo...=1409590519&sr=1-24&keywords=kids+archaeology Cause every kid secretly hopes to find a lost city buried in the woods near their house. lol. Lost cities book touches a bit on written histories...but not as much as I think you're looking for. http://www.amazon.com/Fossils-Tell-...d_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1T9DEYRTX67Y5CDSSAGQ Great book on fossils. Kids love fossils.
Thank you! I just reserved the archaeology one and the cave painting one at the library. I'll pick the librarian's brain for more ideas too ETA: I also just found what seems like an awesome video series by the history channel called "digging for the truth"! That sounds like it has great potential
Oh, there's a great book, I'll try to find the name of it! It written "in the future", of an archeologist uncovering a hotel and the way they "interpret" what they find there. FOUND IT!!! "Motel of Mystery" by David Macaulay http://www.the-best-childrens-books.org/archaeology-for-kids.html
Ooh, that looks great! I'm not sure if it would be over my 6 yo's head though. What do you think? She's bright, but still 6. Also: I'm thinking a time capsule would be a great tie in for this kind of study.
Time capsule sounds great! I think whatever you find, you're going to need to read it yourself and break it down for her, to her level of understanding.
