North Central

Archaeology Storytime (k-2)

Archaeology Storytime is a series of programs that introduces archaeology to children 5-8 years old (k-2).

We can do one Storytime in a single visit, or schedule repeat visits.

Groups are limited to 20 children at a time.

The format for each Storytime is:

  1. A reading from a story book (5-7 min)
  2. A short activity (5-7 min)
  3. A short talk (5 min)
  4. An activity kids can take home (~15 min)

 

The individual Storytimes offered are:

The Puzzle of Our Past

  • Our past is like a puzzle that has no box and is missing most of its pieces. Archaeology helps us see the picture.
  • Includes a reading of The Warlord’s Puzzle by Virginia Walton Pilegard
  • Pot Smash activity

 

Mapping Time

  • Maps are an important part of how people saw the world in the past, and how we see it today. Archaeologists do both by using maps to chart our history.
  • Includes a reading of Mapping My Day by Julie Dillemuth
  • Cookie Excavation activity

 

A Story in Bones

  • People have always used animals for work, food, and even as pets! Animal bones can tell archaeologists the story of how they lived their lives.
  • Includes a reading of The Temple Cat by Andrew Clements
  • Bones in the Lab activity

 

Freedom in the Clay

  • Decorations and designs found on ceramics are more than just works of art. For archaeologists they tell a story.
  • Includes a reading of Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill
  • Clay Pendant activity

 

Taking Tools for Granite

  • A lot of the tools we use today have been around for thousands of years!
  • Includes a reading of The First Drawing by Mordicai Gerstein
  • Tool Tracing activity

 

Formed From Earth

  • People in the past used pottery for storage, cooking, and decoration. The shape is one clue to what people used them for.
  • Includes a reading of The Pot that Juan Built by Nancy Andrews-Goebel
  • Clay Pot Crafting activity

 

Sunken Ships

  • People in the past used vessels to exchange goods and ideas across the world. Underwater archaeology tries to unravel this history.
  • Includes a reading of Swap! by Steve Light
  • Build a Boat activity

 

Ancient Graffiti

  • People have been telling stories through their drawings for thousands of years!
  • Includes a reading of The First Drawing by Mordicai Gerstein
  • Ancient Graffiti activity

 

A Sky Full of Stories

  • Across every culture and time period, people have always seen stories in the stars!
  • Includes a reading of Follow the Drinking Gourd by Jeanette Winter
  • May Your Own Constellations activity

 

You Were What You Eat

  • The foods we eat tie us to our past.
  • A reading of Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard
  • Corn Grinding activity