A speaking and listening enquiry

Synthesising the following strategies:

• real historical (pictorial) evidence• simulated scenario• jigsaw methodology

Leading to the following outcomes:

• spoken group presentations• explanatory writing (optional)

Mystery of

The Lost City

Background to the mystery

One dark wet and windy night in London, this briefcase was found in an alleyway. There was no sign of the owner

Inside the briefcase was a diary of one Arthur Evans – archaeologist. On the last page were written the following words, “at last I have found the lost city….” - nothing more

Archaeology

The study of history, especially ancient cultures, by digging up and describing remains, such as buildings, coins, etc

(Heinemann: English Dictionary)

The study of the past by digging up and examining the remains of buildings, tools and other things

(Collins: New School Dictionary)

Also in the briefcase were five folders each containing some photographs - - - - of the lost city. Each folder had a different title. Lots of photo evidence, but no written explanation, no notes, nothing.

Background to the mystery

Photo evidence

Art Artefacts Jewellery

People Buildings

Photographs in the folder marked

PEOPLE

Photographs x 5

Photographs in the folder marked

BUILDINGS

Photographs x 7

Photographs in the folder marked

ART

Photographs x 4

Photographs in the folder marked

ARTEFACTS

Photographs x 9

Photographs in the folder marked

JEWELLERY

Photographs x 2

What to do

• In your home group – decide which of you is going to study which set of photographs

• Move to expert groups- what do the photos depict?- make notes for feedback to your home groups

• Return to home groups and feedback your expert group findings. Each home group should now try to generate a hypothesis about life in the lost city. Each home group will prepare a spoken presentation.

Here are some questions to help you get started…….

Clues in the photographs

• In which part of the world might the city be? Are there any clues about the climate?

• What sort of things did the people who lived there do?

• What might their paintings and sculptures tell us about them? Were they good artists?

• Were they rich or poor?• Do you think they worshipped any gods?

THIS IS DETECTIVE WORKAre there any other clues? Can we reconstruct what life was like in the city? Would you like to suggest a name for the city?

HYPOTHESIS

A suggestion or statement offered as an explanation or starting point for reasoning

(Heinemann: English Dictionary)

An explanation or theory which has not yet been proved to be correct

(Collins: New School Dictionary)

Your presentations

• You can make all your own decisions about your presentational style, but

• You must do your best to explain your thinking by referring to the photographs. You must show which bits of pictorial evidence have led you to your conclusions….. “we think this because…..”

EPILOGUE

Of course, these pictures are of a real place called Knossos on the island of Crete (Greece). Arthur Evans really did discover this site in 1900.

After their enquiries, pupils should be told at least this much – more if you think appropriate.

All the images in this enquiry have been found using the GOOGLE search engine