Unit Plan: Historic Preservation

GRADE LEVEL: Appropriate for grades 7-12

ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED: Approximately two to three weeks

OBJECTIVES: Students should be able to do:

• Define historical preservation.
• Define historical restoration.
• Identify the steps in historical preservation.
• Identify the steps in historical restoration.
• Define and perform a site survey.
• Present and support a point of view on preserving/restoring a structure.

ACTIVITIES:

1. Introduce the concepts of historic preservation and historic restoration by giving a definition of historic preservation and historic restoration. Discuss the ways in which preservation and restoration work together. Discuss the ways preservation and restoration are different.

2. Introduce the concept of a site survey (Under Construction) by defining site survey and listing the steps needed to perform a site survey. Have the students perform a site survey of the classroom.

3. Show the students photographs on the World Wide Web depicting the 1993 Field School team (Under Construction) and their restoration project, and other restoration projects. Have the students list the steps in a restoration project.

4. Have the students choose a structure in the community in need of (or beyond) restoration. Go to the structure and have the students perform a site survey. Have the students take photographs of the structure and note the appearance of the structure.

5. Discuss ways in which the structure surveyed could be preserved or restored. As a group develop a plan for the preservation/restoration of the structure.

6. Introduce the Historic Preservation Unit Project to the students. Go over the evaluation criteria for the project, which will provide standards and a guide for the students while working through their inquiry. Identify specific due dates for each component of the project. Assign students to work in pairs or independently.

MATERIALS/RESOURCES:

Access to computers, access to the Internet, access to adequate public research facilities, access to cameras, access to measuring tools.

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