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Activity 29: Make a Modern Time-Capsule Trunk

 

Meets EALR: Social Studies, History

1.2 analyze the historical development of events, people, places, and patterns of life in U.S., world and Washington State history

compare and contrast early community life with current community life

 

Objective: Create a year 2000’s museum trunk/time-capsule; each student brings an object and tells why it should be included.  As a finale, students can ask to host the “Cherishing Our Heritage” exhibit at the Issaquah Historical Society.

 

Materials: the Issaquah History Kit, objects from home (one small item from each child), letter home (see attached), board, large paper and a pen, or an overhead for brainstorming ideas

 

Procedure:

  1. Discuss the items that are in the Issaquah History Kit.  Discuss why these photos, newspaper articles, books, and objects were selected.  For example, there are pieces of coal, photos of coal miners and a miner’s hat to show the importance coal mining had on the development of Issaquah.
  2. Brainstorm ideas for items that would represent the current, modern era.  Which photos or items would tell the most about our life today?  If people today put together a trunk that was to be opened in 100 years, like a time capsule, what should be in that trunk?  What would a class photo tell people about us 100 years from now?
  3. Tell students that they will get to put together a class trunk that represents life today.  Each student  may choose one, relatively small item to place in the trunk.  They must write, or have an adult at home help them to write, a short paragraph explaining what the item or photo is, how it is used and how it is representative of everyday life. 
  4. If objects will be returned to students, assign a date for all items to be returned to school.  Pass out the home activity letter to students. 
  5. When students have brought their items and written descriptions of the items to school, have each child tell what they brought and why they think it should be included in the trunk.
  6. Share the class trunk with another class or put it on display in the school library or office area.
  7. As a finale, students can ask to host the “Cherishing Our Heritage” exhibit at the Issaquah Historical Society, call Erica Maniez for more information at (425) 392-3500.

 

Dear Parents,

 

            Our class is studying the history of Issaquah.  As part of our unit we are exploring a kit from the Issaquah Historical Society.  This kit contains photos, news articles, and objects that represent life for the early settlers 100 years ago.

 

            As a class project we are creating a modern “time-capsule” trunk that will include items representing life today.  Each student is allowed one small item to place in the trunk.  The item should be no larger than 1’x1’x1’.  It can be an object, tool, photo, or newspaper article.  Please help your child to select one item that they will place in the trunk. 

 

q       The item will not be returned. 

q       The item will be returned by ___________.

 

            Once your child has selected an item, please help your child to fill out one of the forms below.  Thank you for your participation in helping your child to learn about history and create future history.

 

                                                                                    Sincerely,

 

 

 

Photo:

Who is in the photo? _____________________________________________

Where are they? ________________________________________________

What are they doing? ____________________________________________

Why does this belong in the trunk? __________________________________

 

 

Object:

What is the object made of? ________________________________________

Who uses this object? _____________________________________________

What is the object used for? ________________________________________

Why does this belong in the trunk? ___________________________________

       

                               

Newspaper Article:

Who is the article about? ___________________________________________

What event happened in the article? __________________________________

When did the event happen? ________________________________________

Where did the event take place? _____________________________________

Why is this important to include in the trunk? ____________________________