Introduction

You and your classmate are digging on the playground when your shovel strikes something hard.  It is a large metal box. 
After struggling to open it, you find 15 objects and a 1909 penny. 

You run inside to tell your teacher about the exciting discovery you've made.  Why are these things  grouped together?  You wish you could go back in time to solve the mystery.

Each grade has been given an object from the time capsule.  Your task is to discover why your item was inside.  Using all the resources available to you, transport yourself back to the 1900's and unravel the mystery of your artifact.  At an all-school assembly you and your classmates will share with others why your item was in the capsule.

1. Examine your item.
2. Brainstorm a list of possible reasons why this item was inside. (Hint:  Look closely at the Celebrate the Century Stamps.  Can you match your item to a  stamp?)
3. Click on a stamp on the computer screen to solve the mystery of your item. 
4. Dead end?  Try another stamp.
5. Be a good detective!  Answer these questions:
• Name your object.
• Which stamp does it match?
• What does your object have to do with the 1900's?
6. Get together with your group.  How will you report your findings?  There are many options: 
• skit
• poem
• model
• music
• poster
• use your imagination!


Resources

Describe to the learners how their performance will be evaluated. Specify whether there will be a common grade for group work vs. individual grades.

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Stated Objective or Performance	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting a beginning level of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting the highest level of performance.
Stated Objective or Performance	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting a beginning level of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting the highest level of performance.
Stated Objective or Performance	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting a beginning level of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting the highest level of performance.
Stated Objective or Performance	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting a beginning level of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting the highest level of performance.
Stated Objective or Performance	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting a beginning level of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting the highest level of performance.

 

Put a couple of sentences here that summarize what they will have accomplished or learned by completing this activity or lesson. You might also include some rhetorical questions or additional links to encourage them to extend their thinking into other content beyond this lesson.

Credits & References

Special thank you to the U.S. Postal Service for the use of their graphics.