Investigating a Tsimshian Northwest Coast Plank House

Examine historic photographs, paintings, artifacts, and maps of the McNichol Creek Site located on the west coast of British Columbia. Students meet Mr. Wayne Ryan, a Tsimshian elder, by reading a biography and oral histories. They “uncover” a real archaeological site, classify artifacts, and infer how the geographic area shaped the plank house. Explore how the plank house is used today by the Tsimshian people. Includes historical texts by and about a Tsimshian elder Supports Common Core State Standards Incorporates authentic data for students to analyze Instructions for the Teacher: The teacher’s document is 29 pages, consisting of background information and four sections corresponding with the student notebook. It includes a brief history of the Tshimshian plank house. Quadrant maps from the archaeological site, McNichol Creek Site located on the west coast of British Columbia are provided for students to study and use. Student Archaeological Notebook: The student notebook is 27 pages of articles and activities about the McNichol Creek Site. Mr. Wayne Ryan guides students through the investigation. Through archaeology, the study of historic photographs, and oral histories students learn about the importance of the plank house in past and present communities. “The Northwest Coast plank house is a good example of how people cleverly used the resources of a region to fill their needs. The planks constructing the houses were split from large cedar trees using just stone, bone, and antler tools, thousands of years before steel saws were available for them to use. Plank house sites are a valuable record of how people used to live.” —Richard Vanderhoek, Archaeologist “I enjoyed using,” Investigating a Tsimshian Northwest Coast Plank House” materials. I found the curriculum to be historically accurate, engaging to both teacher and students, and most importantly it includes the native perspective.” —Julie Yates, Teacher, Craig, Alaska
Bonus! When you buy Investigating a Tsimshian Northwest Coast Plank House, you will also receive the essential companion product: Project Archaeology: Investigating Shelter.