Turn your classroom into an archaeological investigation of Cahokia with this social studies lesson plan for grades 7–10. Students examine seven evidence-rich field reports—including Monks Mound, the Birdman Tablet, Mound 72, Woodhenge, burial mounds, trade networks, housing, and the chunkey game—to reconstruct life in one of the largest cities of the Mississippian culture.
 
Students work like historians and archaeologists by separating observation from inference, connecting evidence across reports, and building their own conclusions through CER writing. This lesson plan is designed for about two class periods and works well for middle school or high school social studies.
 
What’s Included
Introduction and Cahokia Site Map
7 archaeological field reports (based on actual scientific and historical data)
Student Field Notebook (questions and CER prompt)
Student rubric
Teacher guide with answer keys
All images included as PNG files for easy display on a classroom projector. 
 
Duration: 2 days
Grades: 7–10
Product Type: Print Ready Word Document