Two new educational modules have been added to the Engaging the Piedmont: Transitions in Virginia Slavery website at http://web.utk.edu/~bheath2/Education/education-faunal.html
The data provided for the exercises were from two specialists’ reports in faunal remains (zooarchaeologists) and botanical remains (paleoethnobotanists). Both reports are available on the site’s resource section.
For the first module students are asked to carefully examine the data, and write a report that explains the findings. The data on the website can be sorted and filtered. Suggested questions include what types of plants/animal species were represented? Which were most common or rare?
The second module is a game. Students explore the map of the Wingo's site to discover foods that will build three different meals. Different areas of the map show different food types including: getting animals from trapping, gathering wild weeds, managing a garden and chickens, and accessing a store. Time is limited, and activity complicated by random events such as the weather and intrusive deer.
Both modules are supported by a Research Book providing images, text and the scientific and common names of species. We’ve also provided supporting teaching material for use in the classroom.
The modules still need a little tweaking, and we’re hoping for some helpful feedback. Please let us know what you think!
