Teachers, history club coordinators, and scout troop leaders: Following are several activities corresponding to the Wisconsin Stories episodes on Wisconsin Public Television. Some of these activities refer to publications available through the State Historical Society's Office of School Services. In other activities, we've provided the activity as a PDF file. To find out when the next program airs, check our program listing.
Making Rock Art
After visiting the Native American stone-working site Silver Mound near
Osseo, you might be interested in getting your hands on some rocks of
your own! Try Making Petroglyphs! There are several steps involved in
this activity. First of all, read Rock
Art (PDF) to understand what petroglyphs are. The Making
Petroglyphs (PDF) activity is a complete guide to duplicating these
ancient picture stories. The activity sheet also provides a recipe and
instructions for making paintable "rocks." And finally, Common
Motifs in Rock Art (PDF) has some ideas to help inspire you create
your own rockin' rock art!
Spear Point Activity
Here's another rock-solid activity for you to do with your group. Paleo-Indian
Spear Points (PDF) is a fun and challenging project. To guide your
rockin' Wisconsin Archaeological quest, use the Spear
Points Worksheet (PDF) in your excavation. Another important tool
for a dig is an accurate map. Quarry
Sites (PDF) shows you exactly where in the midwest you can find specific
kinds of stone.
There are tons of other fun activities your scout leader or club guide will find in SHSW's Digging and Discovery. For more information on this book, visit the SHSW publications page and type in "Digging and Discovery."
Online Resources
SHSW Office of School
Services
http://www.shsw.wisc.edu/oss/
SHSW
publications (search for Diggging and Discovery)
http://www.shsw.wisc.edu/publications/findapub.htm
PDF files (download free Acrobat
Reader)
Rock
Art (PDF)
teacher background
Complete
Making Petroglyphs
activity overview,common motifs, rock recipe
Complete
Paleo-Indian Spear Points
activity overview, worksheet, answer key
