Otzi the Iceman

Last week in Social Studies we began talking about The Old Stone Age, and my students learned about Otzi, the Iceman.  For those of you who do not know, Otzi is a naturally preserved mummy that was discovered in 1991 in the Italian Alps, on the border between Italy and Austria.

Through research, and science they believe Otzi was alive in 3300BC.  Isn't science and technology amazing!
After reading in our Social Studies book about what life was like as hunter-gathers, we watched a video from the Discovery Channel.  My students loved learning about Otzi because his death is such a mystery.  Many thought it was so cool to discover that what actually killed him, preserved him as well! The fact that Otzi lost so much blood actually helped preserve his body!  The blood kept his body from rotting before it froze.  Really cool stuff.  Scientists are continuing to study the Iceman because they are trying to determine exactly how he died, and why he was in such a treacherous part of the Alps.  They are studying artifacts that were also preserved including tools, weapons, and shoes.  Before watching the video, my smarties made this foldable. I wrote a set of 6 questions that my smarties answered as the mystery unraveled on the screen.  The answers on are on the inside, along with a drawing of Otzi

This week we are going to read a printed book from A-Z learning about Otzi, and create a cause/effect foldable.  I love the book because it includes both a fictional account, and a nonfiction article so we can start to learn about comparing text using evidence. This is such an important skill in the Common Core, and it is killer on our state assessment.  We have to do a lot of practicing throughout the year.  It will be hard work for them this week.  So my plan is to finish up with a fun cave art lesson on Friday.  

Enjoy your week, and many thanks to Erin at I'm Lovin Lit and her Interactive Notebook Templates that make my life a lot easier!!