100% History Detectives
The Talking Rocks
of Chaco Canyon
Native Americans
Miss Flash here…
Did you know that rocks can tell stories? Today, you’ll join Clio and me on a wild adventure to Chaco Canyon where you will uncover two ancient mysteries and discover how rocks can reveal things about the past.
The directions on this page will guide you through the book, The Talking Rocks of Chaco Canyon, and help you complete the activities in the Student Journal.
Ready for a Big Question?
Check out the Big Question video below. While you watch, see if you can find clues to answer the Big Question: What is history and why should we care about?
Before you read the book…
We need to get you thinking like a History Detective. Let’s start with fun activity.
Preview: Do the artifact activity on Page 1 of your Student Journal and answer the questions that follow on page 2. Take your time; there’s a lot to learn here!
Social Studies Dictionary: If you’re going to think like a History Detective, you need to know how to talk like a History Detective! Let’s learn some new words. Complete the activities on page 3 of your Student Journal to learn the important new words for this book.
Let’s read the book…
Clio's going to take us on a wild ride in today's story. So, buckle up and let's get reading!
Introduction and Chapter 1: After reading, complete page 4 in your Student Journal.
Chapter 2: After reading, complete the 1st row of the chart on page 5 of your Student Journal.
Hands-on History: See if you can match the artifacts on pages 12 and 13 of the book.
Chapter 3: After reading, complete the 2nd row of the chart on page 5 of your Student Journal.
Great Houses Debate: Read page 6 in your Student Journal. Answer the question on page 7.
Great Straight Roads Debate: Read page 8 in your Student Journal. Answer the question on page 9.
Chapter 4: After reading, try to answer the Big Question in your Student Journal.
Paired Reading: As you read, think about why preserving and remembering history is so important.
A final word from me, Miss Flash…
I can almost hear your brains asking, “So wait, what happened to Chaco Canyon!?” To find out, watch the video below. Don’t forget to think about the Big Question: What is history and why should we care about it?
Let’s use what we’ve learned…
Isn't Chaco Canyon a cool story? So, what have we learned and why does it matter? Before we leave this unit behind, let’s do a few more activity to reflect on our new knowledge.
Processing: Follow the directions on page 10 of your Student Journal.
Word Play Activity: Complete the activities on pages 11 and 12 to use word parts to create new words.
Assessment: Read the passage starting on page 13 and answer the questions that follow.
Your first investigation is complete! You’re on your way to becoming 100% History Detectives! Well done.
