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Grades level iconsGrades 6–8
Genre information iconInformational, Narrative
Resource type iconSparks

Artifact Detective Balderdash

Louise McClune
Students play a spin-off version of Balderdash in this activity, working as budding archeologists who must use the power of observation to solve a few artifact mysteries.
What Your Students Will Learn

Students use the powers of observation and writing to discover meaning and celebrate the mystery of both everyday and unfamiliar artifacts.

What You Will Do

In this activity, students will play a spin on Balderdash in teams of two. Project pictures of ancient artifacts using the “Artifact Detectives” slideshow. Ask students to use their powers of observation to write one sentence that explains how this ancient object is used. In short, a sentence for each slide. Let students know they will get ONE point for guessing the correct answer, but they can also earn one point by writing answers that fool other students—students may either keep score on their own, or you may decide to have students keep score for their partner. Collect their descriptions...

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