My Own Petroglyph

Teachers Notes

Grade Level/ Unit

    Grade 3, Unit
    Grade 4, Unit

History/Social Science Standards: Grade 3

Students describe the American Indian nations in their local region long ago and in the recent past in terms of the national identities, religious beliefs, customs, and various folklore traditions.

History/Social Science Standards: Grade 4

Students describe the social, political, cultural, and economic life and interactions among people of California from the pre-Columbian societies to the Spanish mission and Mexican rancho periods, in terms of the major nations of California Indians, their geographic distribution, economic activities, legends, and religious beliefs; how they adapted to, and modified the physical environment by cultivation of land and sea resources.

Grade 3 and 4: Language Arts Standards

1.0 Writing Strategies: Students write clear and coherent sentences and paragraphs that develop a central idea. Their writing considers audience and purpose. They sucessfully use the stages of the writing process.

2.0 Writing Applications: Students write compositions that describe and explain familiar objects, events, and experiences. Students writing demonstrates a command of standard English and the drafting, research, and organizational strategies outlined in Writing Standard 1.0.

Lesson Length

This lesson will take approximately 4-6 hours:

Materials Needed

  • 1-2 hours reserved in the computer lab for research
  • Xeroxed or printed copies of the My Own Petroglyph, and the About Petroglyphs worksheet.
  • Enough petroglyph rocks for the entire class. These rocks should be 3-4 inches in diameter, and have a paintable surface. Such rocks can be found in river or lake beds. You may substitute paper for rocks if nessisary. If you do, have students cut paper into rock shapes.
  • Enough paint brushes for entire class.
  • Tempra or acrylic paint in a variety of colors; reds, browns, yellows and whites are the best.


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