Artifact Bag

What is an artifact bag?

An artifact bag, is a hands on lesson for students that enables them to become a historian for a day! The bag is filled with at least 3 'artifacts' that are all related in some way. These are specific and important items that can be linked to a certain event or person in history. Students must figure out what each artifact is and its significance to the rest of the items.

Here's an example I created for Abe Lincoln!

Top hat

Lincoln Log

Penny

 



Tips for using an artifact bag:

 

1. Model 
 - Demonstrate for the students what it is you expect them to do!

2. Get students thinking
- Questions! Ask students to think what time period they think the artifact is from, what it is used for, where it is from, etc.

3. Group work
- Have students work in groups! This will help them to communicate their ideas while also listening to what their classmates have to say. Working in a group helps the students combine their knowledge and creative minds.

4. Provide resources
- Give students different resources that tie in with the artifacts so that they are able to learn all about them through research. Books and the internet are two great resources.

5. Be careful!
- Remind students that these are artifacts, so they are not always in the best condition. Some might be very old and fragile! You can make the students feel important by explaining to them that they are handling items that made history!

6. Record ideas
- Have students write down their ideas for what they think each artifact is and how it relates to everything else in the bag. This will help students keep track of their thoughts and remember ideas they had. Then, students can collaborate on their writings and make a final sheet for the conclusion they had come to as a group.