Educational Activities
This document describes some of the educational activities avaliable at the University Museum.
Pottery Making
Learning Outcomes
- Cultivate an understanding of the pottery making process
- Develop an appreciation for the historical significance of pottery to various cultures, with an emphasis on Indigenous cultures of the Southwest
- Form an understanding of the materials that are used in pottery production
Materials
- Examples of small pottery vessels
- Air dry modeling clay
- Paint, preferably acrylic
Exercises
- Students will make pottery either of their own design or from an example. The vessels will be made of air dry clay and decorated using various paints.
- Students will pass around already completed examples of pottery. These could include unpainted vessels for painting or simply to review vessels for discussion.
Educational/Historical Significance
- Pottery and the process of creating ceramic vessels is very important to Native People of the US Southwest. In addition to the pottery making process, this exercise can be connected with the museum’s “Pottery from the Americas” exhibit for further discussion and consideration.
Sand Painting
Learning Outcomes
- Develop an understanding of Diné (Navajo) sand painting and its ritual, healing significance.
- Practice with sand painting, motor skills. and artistic renderings.
Materials
- Colored sand
- Construction paper or cardstock
- Glue
Exercises
- Students will prepare a surface to serve as the “canvas.” It could be cardstock construction paper, or some other material. Students can “draw” with the glue and sprinkly colored sand onto the adhesive. This can be either mimicking existing examples or developing a design of one’s own. The educator will relay the significance of the practice throughout the exercise. Questions about feeling or motivation for creating the artwork that the student did may be asked of them.
Educational/Historical Significance
- “Sand paintings are a part of a very sacred religious ceremony for the Navajo people.To create these sacred works, the Shaman of the tribe ‘paints’ by letting colored sand fall carefully through his fingers onto the ground, creating holy symbols and holy figures that are believed to heal. After the sand painting is complete, a person who is suffering an illness or issue is asked to sit on the painting while the medicine man recites healing chants. For the Navajo, the sand painting is a dynamic, living, sacred entity that enables a transformation in the mental and physical state of the ailing individual. They believe that the holy figures in the painting absorb the ailment and provide relief.” Source
Weaving
Learning Outcomes
- Cultivate an appreciation for weaving as an art and practice by various cultures. Wooden weaving tools of Diné (Navajo) origin can be considered.
- Practice using weaving racks at various stages, as well as general observation of the processes.
Materials
- Assorted yarn, spinning material
- Weaving frames
- Navajo weaving tools
Exercises
- Students will observe an instructor using, then mimic use of a weaving frame while information is relayed about its use by various cultures and historical significance. Dependent on time and material constraints a frame may or may not be completed.
- Students will observe Diné (Navajo) waving tools, like a drop spindle, and consider their historical significance. Demonstration of these tools may be possible given a skilled educator/demonstrator.
Atlatl Throwing
Learning Outcomes
- Form an appreciation of ancient hunting techniques
- Consider the evolution of early human technology
- Practice using an atlatl, form, and physical exercise
- Develop an understanding of mechanical advantage
Materials
- Atlatl thrower
- Atlatl darts
- Target practice dummy
- Preferably a comfortable amount of space to demonstrate and practice
Exercises
- Students will observe the use of an atlatl on a practice dummy by an educator. The instructor will relay the historical significance of the atlatl, physical properties (leverage), and significance to evolution of tool use.
- Depending on the audience(likely high school age, small group and requisite space) students may be allowed to practice using an atlatl alongside the educator
Educational/Historical Significance
- The atlatl is a projectile platform invented in the upper paleolithic. The atlatl uses leverage on its dart to be more effective and powerful than spear-throwing. Use was continued by Native People of the Americas with reports of the Aztec empire using them against Spanish conquistadors.
Archery
Learning Outcomes
- Develop an understanding the use of the bow throughout human history, potentially more specifically relating to use by Native People of North Americ.
- Practice using recurve bows, form, and physical exercise.
Materials
- Recurve bows
- Arrows
- Targets?
- Bow stand (assembly required)
- Arm guards?
- Bowstring release?
Exercises
- Students will observe the use of a bow and arrow on a target by an educator. The instructor will relay the historical significance of the bow and arrow , and significance to evolution of tool use.
- Depending on the audience (likely high school age, small group and requisite space) students may be allowed to practice using a bow alongside the educator. This particular activity may be better suited for a field trip/ excursion if multiple archers are involved.
Educational/Historical Significance
- The bow and arrow is a significant piece of ancient technology, and a type of projectile tool that remains important today. The transition from spear throwers to bow-and-arrow is one of the key technological transformations in human history. Instructors should strive to help students appreciate the importance of the bow-and-arrow to Native People of North America.
Pottery Sorting
Learning Outcomes
- Form an understanding of various types of pottery and their distinctive characteristics
- Develop an ability to differentiate and identify different types of ceramic sherds
Materials
- Pottery sorting activity boxes
Exercises
- Students will be given an activity box individually or in small groups to identify and sort the sherds inside, with supplemental information possibly given by an educator.
Educational/Historical Significance
- Pottery appears in various cultures around the world
- Being able to identify and conduct this activity will give students a taste of the field of archaeology as it relates to using types