Prehistoric Native American Artifacts

Local collectors of arrow-heads, pottery, and other Native American artifacts had their collection donated to the Southern Ohio Museum after they had passed away. Charles and William Wertz had collected more than 10,000 pieces of prehistoric Native American objects from the west side of Scioto County during their lifetimes. This extensive collection became "The Art of the Ancients" exhbit at the Southern Ohio Museum. It is one of two permanent exhibits at the art museum. The collection consists of not only arrowheads, but necklaces, bone fish hooks, tools, games, and effigy pipes crafted in a variety of animal shapes. (An effigy is a likeness or representation of an object.) The pieces in the collection have been dated by the Ohio Historical Society as ranging in age from 1,500 to 8,000 years old. During our visit, the children had an opportunity to view first hand and learn more about the Native Americans who inhabited our area thousands of years ago. The photos above show the children as they are viewing the artifacts and after our visit, just outside the front doors of the museum.

A Virtual Trip to Plimoth Plantation

2D students joined other students nationwide to enhance their understanding of the First Thanksgiving and life in the first permanent English settlement, Plimoth Colony, in the year 1621. The live webcast from Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, Massachusetts lasted slightly over one half-hour. The children heard Wampanoag natives and the Pilgrims speak about their daily lives. The children compared and contrasted the daily living of the two groups of people.

The interactive webcast gave students opportunities to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding about this special American holiday. While the interviews were going on, another part of the screen allowed children to witness the daily living activities of Wampanoag natives or Pilgrim peoples in the woodlands or right in the midst of Plimoth village, respectively. At the same time, survey questions appeared near the bottom of the screem which each classroom voted upon, submitted the majority vote and then, within minutes, the nationwide results of the survey were posted. (If you double click on the photo above, you will see just how this interactive field trip worked.)

This virtual experience engaged students and sparked conversations and learning moments about this special annual holiday, its significance to our American traditons, and how the various cultures in our country have both embraced and influenced this uniquely American holiday.