Investigating a Shotgun House

Examine historic photographs, primary documents, artifacts, and maps of a Shotgun House shelter. Students meet Kenny Demus and the Laffoon sisters - Cissy and Mary - who grew up in rented shotgun houses, by reading their biographies. Then they “uncover” a real archaeological site, classify artifacts, study the contents of a privy, and infer how Lexington’s urban geography influenced the neighborhood and its future. Explore the history of Lexington’s working class, the meaning of neighborhood, and the definition of family. Engage students in a debate on a current civic dilemma involving archaeology and preservation, and the stereotypes we hold about the working poor. Includes texts about neighborhood history, using primary documents, investigating and interpreting privy deposits, and seeking justice for those displaced by urban development Supports Common Core State Standards Incorporates authentic data for students to analyze Instructions for the Teacher: The teacher’s document is 84 pages, consisting of background information and four sections corresponding with the student archaeology notebook. It includes a brief history of the shotgun house and a timeline activity for the Davis Bottom shotgun house. Quadrant maps of the shotgun house site are provided for students to study how the house was used by people who lived there. Student Archaeology Notebook: The student notebook is 43 pages of informational texts and data collection sheets about the Davis Bottom shotgun house. Mr. Kenny Demus and the Laffoon sisters - Cissy and Mary, residents of Davis Bottom, guide students through the investigation. Through geography, archaeology, oral histories, and historic photographs and documents students learn how a site is interpreted, why it is important today, and how to preserve sites for future generations to enjoy. “This unit was something the kids loved. They learned a lot that we were able to tie into our tested content later in the year (like using tables, data, pictures to collect evidence). With fifth graders, they need to be interested in the content to apply themselves to learning the content” – Kentucky Teacher
Bonus! When you buy Investigating a Shotgun House, you will also receive the essential companion product: Project Archaeology: Investigating Shelter.