TEKS Correlations

Grades 4-7

Science

1. Scientific processes. The student conducts field and laboratory investigations following home and school safety procedures and environmentally appropriate and ethical practices. The student is expected to:
(A) demonstrate safe practices during field and
laboratory investigations; and (B) make wise choices in the use and conservation of resources and the disposal or recycling of materials

2. Scientific processes. The student uses scientific
inquiry methods during field and laboratory investigations. The student is expected to:
(B) collect information by observing and measuring;

4. Scientific processes. The student knows how to use a variety of tools and methods to conduct science inquiry. The student is expected to:

Grade 4: (A) collect and analyze information using tools including calculators, safety goggles, microscopes, cameras, sound recorders, computers, hand lenses, rulers, thermometers, meter sticks, timing devices, balances, and compasses.

Grade 5: (A) collect and analyze information using tools
including calculators, microscopes, cameras, sound recorders, computers, hand lenses, rulers, thermometers, compasses, balances, hot plates, meter sticks, timing devices, magnets, collecting nets, and safety goggles.

Grade 6: (A) collect, analyze, and record information using tools including beakers, petri dishes, meter sticks, graduated cylinders, weather instruments, timing devices, hot plates, test tubes, safety goggles, spring scales, magnets, balances, microscopes, telescopes,
thermometers, calculators, field equipment, compasses, computers, and computer probes.

Grade 7: (A) collect, analyze, and record information to
explain a phenomenon using tools including beakers, petri dishes, meter sticks, graduated cylinders, weather instruments, hot plates, dissecting equipment, test tubes, safety goggles, spring scales, balances, microscopes, telescopes, thermometers, calculators, field equipment, computers, computer probes, timing devices, magnets, and compasses.

Goal: to instruct students in the methodology used in data collection for archaeological research.

Objective: students will sift through excavated dirt from previous activity to find any additional artifacts for further analysis.

Materials Needed:
-large boxes
-window screening placed stapled to a wooden frame (15"x15" is an average screen size)
-paper or plastic bags

Activity Description:

All dirt that is removed from the excavation is called matrix. Instead of simply being discarded, it is sifted and sorted through in order to find any artifacts or objects that may have been missed during the excavation. At Lubbock Lake Landmark and many other archaeological sites, this matrix is sifted using a waterscreening process. Water is not necessary for this activity. Students can screen the matrix dry.

• Put the matrix in a pile on one side of the tray. Depending on how much matrix has been excavated, you may need to do a little at a time. Do not lose the tag included with the matrix.
• Spread a little bit of the matrix out across the screen so you may see cultural material easier.
• Look for anything that may look unusual, not part of the ordinary dirt you are sifting. At the Landmark, cultural material is usually found in the following forms::
  CHERT or FLINT CHIPS. Small pieces of stone or "flakes". They usually have straight or round ridges on them. Most are a shade of gray or are nearly transparent.
  BURNED CALICHE. Gray rock. It is usually porous and has little holes in it. To tell burned from unburned caliche, wet it -- burned caliche is a dark gray, unburned caliche will be white.
  BONE FRAGMENTS. Usually a light yellow or orange in color-not white.
  The pieces found in matrix are usually interior bone and they are very porous. Looks something like a honeycomb. Burned bone is gray or blue in color.
  SHELLS. There are three different types. Save only whole shells.
  INSECT PARTS. Mostly wing covers or head cavities.
  CHARCOAL.
• After the box is sorted, separate the cultural material into groups. Put all the different materials into separate bags, then put all the bags into one bag along with the matrix tag. Make sure to record your name as the matrix screener.
• Put the matrix bag with the other, larger artifacts that were excavated.