Stone Age Lesson Plan

Yesterday, I did not get home until late, so I'm writing tonight. I taught a lesson in the world history classes which I'd developed while learning how to write lesson plans. Since we were covering pre-agricultural peoples, I figured a lesson in stone tools was appropriate. I developed a handout (still evolving) that I've posted on my portfolio site ( http://micksportfolio.yolasite.com/ ). See # 8. Unfortunately, there are some formatting issues. I use OpenOffice Writer at home then I convert it to MS Word. At some point, I'll convert everything on my portfolio to open source pretty soon.

The lesson begins with the question, “What is the most important piece of technology in the history of the human race?” The students write what they think the answer is on a Post-It note and putting them on the walls around the room. Next, they look at other students' answers, put a star on the Post-Its if that answer was the same as their answer or a check mark if they thought that answer was better than theirs. After they sit down again, I pull out a rock. I then pass out the handout, explain how stone tools have been around longer than we have, describe a little about the hominids that used those tools, and then describe how obsidian scalpels are used today. Having already gone over the pros and cons of hunter/gatherer lifestyle and of the agrarian lifestyle on previous days, I ask the question, “How many of you are ready to become hunter/gatherers?” A few hands go up. I then say, “Let's go!” I stand up and head toward the door. They're shocked and not sure what to do. I turn around and encourage them to follow. We go outside and I demonstrate removing a flake from an obsidian core. We go back inside for a short debrief.