P. O. Box  366                                  Kampsville,  IL   62053
Phone:  (618) 653 - 4316                Fax:  (618) 653 - 4232
PAST LIFEWAYS PROGRAM

Engage the rich cultural heritage of America's first peoples
Explore ancient lifeways through our experiential learning sessions
Enhance your students' science & math learning strategies

The Center for American Archeology's Past Lifeways Program gives teachers and students the opportunity to immerse themselves in exploratory studies through our hands-on activity sessions. Through our archeology and the natural sciences curriculum, students apply their problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork skills to uncover important concepts about the prehistoric peoples and cultures of our region. Active student participation is integral to each learning session. Through each student's discovery of the challenges associated with prehistoric life -and the adaptations made by prehistoric peoples-the student's awareness of the incredible array of skills and knowledge required for successful living is heightened. By engaging these concepts and ideas through the framework of informal science education, each student gains familiarity and facility with the scientific process at work..
Our program is appropriate for students in grades 2-12. Teachers work with CAA staff to custom-design a field trip that not only complements your instructional goals and curriculum, but is also interesting and fun for your students. Our program is perfect for those teachers who wish to give their students an educational enrichment program that they'll never forget!.

Sample activities are shown below. Call us to discuss how we can help you meet curriculum goals and objectives.

· Basketry: Instruction includes a discussion of indigenous basketry materials and dyeing processes, weaving techniques, and an introduction to the materials that weavers used to adorn their products. Students make their own baskets using Native American-styled weaving techniques.

· Ceramics: Our ceramics activity provides a basic introduction to prehistoric ceramic technology: how ceramic technology changed over time, what tools were used to make decorations, and ceramic form and function. Students procure their own clay from a local creek bed, process it, and make their own Native American-styled pinch pot.
· Flintknapping: Introduces the basics of lithic technologies and types of lithic artifacts found through the different time periods in the Illinois River Valley. This activity also explores topics such as use-wear analysis and raw materials procurement strategies. Participants will make their own stone tool.
· Village Reconstruction: Students explore reconstructed examples of early dwellings as they learn about village life during different prehistoric time periods. Village structures vary by year and students use replicas of ancient tools from our collections and gather natural materials for building and repair.

Gardening/Horticulture, Fire Making, Cordage Manufacture, Native American Games, Atlatl Throw, Ground Stone Technology, Weaving, and MORE!

PROGRAM OPTIONS:

Day Visit: A great way to sample our Past Lifeways activity sessions-pack your brown bag lunches and join us for a fun & educational day! Select a minimum of two activities and a maximum of four activities for your visit; the length of each session is adjusted to meet your travel guidelines and session content is tailored to meet your students' learning level & interests.

FEES: $10/student (2 activities); $15/student (3 activities); $20/student (4 activities)
GROUP SIZE: minimum 10 students

One Day-One Night Program: Join us for an overnight adventure-we recommend this program for those teachers who want to ensure that their students gain a deeper level of understanding and appreciation for prehistoric lifeways and traditions. Lengthen your ancient technology sessions and select activities unavailable to Day Visit participants, including our Night Hike, Fire Making, and Campfire & Storytelling!

FEES: $90/student and $45/adult chaperone; fees include room, board, tuition, supplies. You provide transportation to and from Kampsville, and snacks.
GROUP SIZE: minimum 10 students

Multiple Day Residential Program: The ultimate Past Lifeways experience! Longer, in-depth ancient technology sessions, topical explorations ("Food Quest", "Shelter Building Day"), detailed examination of social and cultural concepts & processes, and field trips to local sites of interest (Pere Marquette State Park, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site) are all essential components of our longer residential program. Perfect for your school's Challenge Week, Mini Course, or Interim studies session. One of our education program specialists will work with you to design the perfect experience for your students.

FEES: $85/student/day, $45/chaperone/day; includes room, board, tuition, and supplies. You provide transportation to and from our area and snacks.
GROUP SIZE: minimum 10 students


We want YOU- to experience one of our Past Lifeways Program field trips!

If you're interested in learning more about how the Past Lifeways Program can be integrated into your classroom curriculum, or if you would like to book a field trip, please contact our office:

(618) 653-4316 (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm CST)
caa@caa-archeology.org