ARCHAEOLOGICAL STORIES IN A NUTSHELL

Our pedagogical kits bring history and archaeology to young people through contact with an archaeologist and with objects testifying to the past. Youngsters are not only introduced to archaeology and archaeological evidence, but also have a chance to talk with professionals who can awaken an interest in history and make children more aware of it. This formula gives archaeologists the opportunity to communicate with a young public and, at the same time, offers the school system a dynamic pedagogical tool that encourages the acquisition of numerous skills related to the curriculum (2nd and 3rd cycles of elementary school).

Through activities and diversified approaches, students discover over 12 000 years of history, including Amerindian lifeways, the European settlement of Quebec, crucial moments in the story of industrialization, the country’s involvement in world wars and the contribution of newcomers to the changes in the land. Youngsters are offered contact with artifacts, presented and interpreted by real archaeologists who talk about their profession and archaeological discoveries in a given region, concentrating on five general themes. These themes focus on facets of daily life that children can readily connect to: food, clothing, shelter, defence and trade. A sixth theme, What’s archaeology? completes this series by presenting the more scientific aspects of archaeology as a discipline. Our approach engages youngsters in a series of experiences that awaken their senses and make them active participants in the learning process.

Food
This kit focuses on specific techniques related to obtaining food (hunting and fishing) and on the making of tools required for preparing, storing and eating it.

Shelter
This kit focuses on ingenious techniques used to provide shelter in a given environment with the materials at hand. This theme also lends itself to exploring different lifestyles in various periods.

Defence
The aspect of defence represents a wide-ranging theme. Depending on the period, the activity deals with topics such as defending oneself against an animal or an enemy, engaging in a war overseas or planning a defensive strategy.

Clothing
This kit focuses on everything related to making a piece of clothing. The topics dealt with include assembly-line work, practical accessories and techniques used to produce both fancy and ordinary wear.

Trade
Starting with the fur trade and leading to the industrial era and the rules of national and international markets, this kit focuses on key events in the economic stories that have shaped both history and the landscape.

What’s archaeology?
The goal of the sixth kit is to present the fundamentals of archaeology in simple and imaginative ways. It covers various stages, from the discovery of a fragment to the analyses that let us understand its significance. The kit is intended to show how archaeology calls on many other sciences and disciplines in establishing the context and import of an artifact.

RESERVE NOW FOR YOUR ARCHAEO-LEARNING EXPERIENCE!

For further information on fees and kit reservations:
-  If you represent a school institution, click on reservation form.
-  If you represent a member site of Archéo-Québec, click on reservation form (in french).

WE’RE LOOKING FOR ARCHAEOLOGIST-ANIMATORS

If you’re an archaeologist and are interested in being listed in our bank of candidates as archaeologist-animators in Quebec elementary schools, you can send us your offer of service as follows:

1.   Fill out a printed application form and send it to the Archéo-Québec headquarters by mail or fax. You will receive a confirmation of reception of your offer by e-mail.

Your offer of service will be registered in the bank of candidates on its reception at our headquarters. You will be sent an acknowledgement of reception within a reasonable time limit.

Important notice:
Candidates are selected on the basis of their experience, qualifications and skills with respect to the requirements sought for a specific activity, rather than according to the chronological order in which their offers were registered.

We very much appreciate the interest you show in Archéo-Québec.