If you’re looking for a simple, but effective way to introduce the anthropology unit and the variety of ways that anthropologists can approach the subject area, this minds on activity is for you.
In my first unit lesson for anthropology, I introduce a few anthropologists that are currently working in the field. I don’t disclose the categorization, just simply that they’re a food anthropologist, a primatologist, a linguist and a forensic anthropologist.
From there I give each group of students 6 cards featuring various individuals who are studying anthropology and I ask the students to categorize them. The end goal of course is for the students to place them into cultural or physical anthropology piles. What occurs instead, is that “Stephanie” the archaeologist, always seems to end up alongside “Kevin” the paleoanthropologist. And poor “Jane” the primatologist is inevitably left in her own category. This opens up a discussion as to how they came about their decisions and what to look for moving forward.
If you’re interested in using these cards in your own classroom, you can download a copy here.
Christina Iorio is a teacher with the York Catholic District School Board and is a regular contributor to social media platforms regarding all things history and social science. Follow her on Instagram @therealmsiorio
