"Disneyland Redux - 3011" is both a review of the archeology unit in sixth grade and a chance for me to check their writing skills and creativity. The students are archeologist in the year 3011 and are digging up what used to be Disneyland which was buried under the Catalina Volcano eruption of 2011. Using only artifacts, fossils, and ruins the students are to recreate what they think was happening at this location a thousand years in the past. They are not able to read any of the writing that is present but must only rely on the "silent remains" utilized by archeologists.
The students are told that the conclusion can not involve anything resembling a theme park, but must be as creatively wrong as possible while using the evidence they chose. They can use any evidence that they can find at Disneyland on an average day. One paragraph utilizes artifacts, another fossils, and a final on ruins to come up with their conclusions. In the past, two of the more interesting conclusions have been a military or spy training center and the other a religion pilgrimage site where animals are worshiped. It is a really fun project that allows the students creativity to flow while allowing me to check their writing and use of evidence. I want them to understand that you can say anything about history if you have the evidence to back it up.
If you are interested in this project go to teacherspayteachers.com/creativehistory for the instructions for "Disneyland Redux - 3011".
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