In a grid set up like an actual excavation site outside the Lower School annex, Latin School fifth graders dug for clues about what life was like in ancient Greece thousands of years ago.

The exercise took place in early May and was a new addition to the Ancient Greek unit that the fifth graders study each year. Buried within the site were “Greek artifacts,” replicas of actual items that might be discovered on a real archaeological dig. Toys, jewelry, a discus and coin were among the objects students found beneath the surface.

“With fifth graders, by creating a project that is hands on, they not only experience it, but also have ownership over it,” said the dig’s creator, fifth grade teacher Mike McPharlin.

After three days of digging, the students brought the artifacts back to a “lab,” where they studied what they found and discussed their possible place in ancient Greek life. The students also had the opportunity to learn the painstaking work it can be to participate on a dig, slowly uncovering clues to the past a little bit at a time.



On a crisp morning during the excavation, one of the students suddenly shouted, “I found it! I found it!”

“That’s the kind of reaction I hope for,” McPharlin said.

© 2008 The Latin School of Chicago

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