Archaeological Discovery
Social Studies Module
Grades 6-10
by
Eleanor Terry
MAP Team Member
Dixon R-I School District
South Central Regional MAP Center
Third Edition: Performance-Based Assessments for Classroom Use: Missouri Assessment Program, 2000 - 2001
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Archaeological Discovery
Purpose: This module requires that students demonstrate their understanding
of early cultures: the Old Stone Age, the New Stone Age and the four River
Valley Civilizations. The students are required to compare two different
civilizations, to tell the contributions of people living in early cultures, to
create a timeline, and to describe an archaeological discovery in a letter.
Show-Me Standards Addressed:
Knowledge: SS2, SS6, SS7
Performance: 1.1, 1.6, 1.8, 3.5
Grade Level Range: 6-10
Subject Area: Social Studies
Materials or Resources Needed: The Module Packet (which includes the
student response sheets, the student prompt for the performance event, and the
scoring guides) and a pencil.
Time Needed for Module: Two 50 minute periods
Instructions for Administration: Present students with the module packet.
Review the questions and the performance event with the students to ensure
they understand what is expected. Go through the scoring guides so students
know what is expected for quality responses.
Pre-assessment Instructions: This module should be used after students
have received instruction in the Old Stone Age, the New Stone Age, and the
four River Valley Civilizations. Students need to know how to create a
timeline and how to write a formal letter.
Third Edition: Performance-Based Assessments for Classroom Use: Missouri Assessment Program, 2000 - 2001
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Archaeological Discovery
Student Response Sheet #1
Use your prior knowledge of the Old Stone Age, the New Stone Age, and the four river Valley
Civilizations to answer the following questions.
1)
When did the Old Stone Age begin?
a)
20,000 B.C.
b)
30,000 B.C.
c)
40,000 B.C.
d)
50,000 B.C.
2)
What were the people of the Old Stone Age called?
a)
Cave Dwellers
b)
Cavemen
c)
Firemakers
d)
Hunters-Gatherers
3)
How many years did the New Stone Age last?
a)
6,000 years
b)
8,000 years
c)
10,000 years
d)
12,000 years
4)
What is agriculture?
a)
the use of fire
b)
the use of skills and tools to meet the needs of people
c)
the raising of crops and animals for human use
d)
the making of tools or pottery
5)
What group of people did not have a religion that believed in many gods?
a)
Aryans
b)
Egyptians
c)
Hebrews
d)
Sumerians
6)
What is one thing common to all four of the River Valley Civilizations that has helped us
know them?
a)
government
b)
monotheism
c)
polytheism
d)
written language
Third Edition: Performance-Based Assessments for Classroom Use: Missouri Assessment Program, 2000 - 2001
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Archaeological Discovery
Student Response Sheet # 2
7)
What was the cycle of life, death, and rebirth in the Hindu religion called?
a)
monotheism
b)
polytheism
c)
reincarnation
d)
vedas
8)
What were the ruling families in ancient China called?
a)
dynasties
b)
empires
c)
kings
d)
pharaohs
9)
Who was the first person to write a code of laws?
a)
Abraham
b)
Confucius
c)
Hammurabi
d)
Wudi
10)
Who invented the ancient writing system called hieroglyphics?
a)
Chinese
b)
Egyptians
c)
Indians
d)
Sumerians
11)
Contrast the Old Stone Age to the New Stone Age. Include at least three specific historical
examples in your answer.
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Third Edition: Performance-Based Assessments for Classroom Use: Missouri Assessment Program, 2000 - 2001
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Archaeological Discovery
Student Response Sheet # 3
12)
Choose two historically recognized people from different River Valley Civilizations.
Write one paragraph for each of the two people- a total of two paragraphs. Explain how
each person contributed to the development of his or her civilization. Be sure to include
at least three specific contributions for each of the two people.
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Third Edition: Performance-Based Assessments for Classroom Use: Missouri Assessment Program, 2000 - 2001
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Archaeological Discovery
Student Response Sheet # 4
13)
Choose at least six important events from either the Old Stone Age, the New Stone
Age, or the four River Valley Civilizations. Construct a timeline showing the names
and dates of your six events. Be sure to place your events in the correct spot according
to when they happened. Be neat and use legible handwriting.
Third Edition: Performance-Based Assessments for Classroom Use: Missouri Assessment Program, 2000 - 2001
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Archaeological Discovery
Student Response Sheet # 5
Performance Event
You are on an archaeological team that has just made a new discovery. Write a letter to the head
of the team telling whether the discovery is from the Old Stone Age, the New Stone Age, or one
of the four River Valley Civilizations. Base your opinion on your knowledge of the ancient
civilizations mentioned above. In your letter, describe the artifact(s) you discovered and give at
least five reasons telling how you know the artifact(s) is from the civilization you specified.
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Third Edition: Performance-Based Assessments for Classroom Use: Missouri Assessment Program, 2000 - 2001
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Archaeological Discovery
Scoring Guides
Items 1 -10: Selected Response
Correct Answers:
1)
c
2)
d
3)
a
4)
c
1 Point:
5)
c
0 Points:
6)
d
7)
c
8)
a
9)
c
10)
b
Correct Answer
Other
Item 11: Constructed Response
2 Points:
The response includes a clear description of the differences between the Old
Stone Age and the New Stone Age and includes at least three specific historical
examples.
1 Point:
The response includes a description of the differences between the Old Stone
Age and the New Stone Age and includes two specific historical examples.
0 Points:
Other
Item 12: Constructed Response
3 Points:
The response includes at least two separate paragraphs with three examples of
how each of the two people contributed to his/her civilization.
2 Points:
The response includes two paragraphs with at least two examples of how each
of the two people contributed to his/her civilization.
1 Point:
The response includes one paragraph with a total of three or four
examples of how the people contributed to their civilization. There must be a
minimum of at least one example for each of the two people.
0 Points:
Other
Third Edition: Performance-Based Assessments for Classroom Use: Missouri Assessment Program, 2000 - 2001
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Archaeological Discovery
Scoring Guides
Item 13: Constructed Response
3 Points:
The timeline is accurate and contains at least 6 dates with accurate corresponding
events. It is in the correct order.
2 Points:
The timeline contains at least 4-5 dates with accurate corresponding
events. It is in the correct order. There may be minor errors.
1 Point:
The timeline contains at least 3 dates with accurate corresponding
events. It is in the correct order. There may be minor errors.
0 Points:
Other
Performance Event:
4
The response is a letter that gives an accurate description of the artifact(s) and includes at
least 5 plausible reasons telling why the artifact(s) is from the specified civilization.
3
The response is a letter that gives an accurate description of the artifact(s) and includes at
least 3-4 plausible reasons telling why the artifact(s) is from the specified civilization.
2
The response is a letter that gives a description of the artifact(s). The description may or may
not be accurate. The letter includes at least 1-2 reasons telling why the artifact(s) is from
the specified civilization. The reasons may or may not be accurate.
1
The response is an attempt to write a letter that gives a description of the artifact(s). The
letter may or may not be accurate. It may not include the reasons telling why the artifact(s)
is from the specified civilization. If reasoning is included, it may or may not be accurate.
0
Off Task or No Attempt
Third Edition: Performance-Based Assessments for Classroom Use: Missouri Assessment Program, 2000 - 2001
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