Finding Artifacts in the Classroom

Using Artifact Bags

Before continuing on the post...take a look at the collage and think about  the questions below

What do you think is the purpose of the artifact bag?

What skills are the students using?

What makes this strategy so effective?

The information in this post is based on the following article:

Fahler, C.J., Farris, P.J., & Nelson, P.A. (2006).  Building literacy skills across curriculum: Forging connections with the past through artifacts. The Reading Teacher, 59(7), 646-659.

The article describes presenting decorative bags with artifacts inside to the class in order to utilize student's natural wonder and curiosity, so that students will read, write and seek information about the artifact.

Artifacts are simple objects which represent a time in history or culture.  Primary documents, i.e.  first hand materials are also included under this heading.

The use of artifact bags is based in the constructivist theory which encourages students to create meaning based upon prior knowledge along with authentic experiences and exploratory activities, thus developing an enhanced meaning of the material and greater understanding.

Tips for using Artifact Bags

1. Use bags to "surprise" students with what is inside.  Support inquiry based learning through discovery.
2. Use related books to allow students to seek clues about the artifacts.
3. Encourage students to speculate and share thoughts, scaffold discovery learning.
4. Use small groups or pairs to encourage learning through interaction.
5. Can use journals for inquiry learning or reflection.
6. Help students to make connections with the artifacts to self, text and the world.
7. Use expository texts to deepen understanding and enhance skills necessary for reading informational books.
8. This activity could be used to begin a social studies unit.
9. This activity could also be used to develop a research project or a culminating presentation.

This is an excellent strategy because...

• Uses constructivist and engagement theories of learning.
• Encourages the use of research based teaching methodologies.
• Integrates reading, writing and Social Studies
• Supports the use of technology in the classroom

Encourage children to be curious, to look for answers and come to conclusions...

"Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning"

                                      -William Arthur Ward