Archaeological Excavation Work and Museum Trip in Social Studies Lesson

Abstract

In this study, an archeological excavation activity and museum trip activity that are prepared according to 6th and 7th expectations, which are “Students interfere the factors on settling of people with sample examination through prehistoric first settlement to the present day” and “Students realize the interactions between economic activities and social structures of the civilizations in Anatolia and Mesopotamia”, within “Life on Earth” unit in “People, Places and Environments” learning strand of the 6th grade Social Studies Curriculum are introduced. It was aimed with these activities that students to be aware of the civilization which human created mutually, and thus to arouse a humanity history perception on the students which archeology science contribute in. Within this activity, which was performed in the course time of 80+40, it was aimed students to develop a sense of history, to be sensitive to historical materials to understand the archeological materials around them and to understand importance and gain recognition and awareness to them. As a consequence of the study, it is concluded that these types of activities concretely affect the students’ attitudes of social studies in a positive manner, with regard to the principle of learning by doing, and increase the effectiveness of social studies lesson.