Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Archaeology is not just about broken pots and dusty scrolls. It's about critical thinking, cross curricular integration, and scripture based learning that students can hold in their hands.
[00:00:14] So this generation doesn't want to be told the Bible is true, they want to experience it. And in module four, it's basically subject integration one day, many disciplines. It provides cross cultural planning tools, integrates archaeology with English and Language arts, science, social studies, math and arts. It includes lesson design matrix, student choice boards, and assessment rubrics. One powerful lesson prompt from Module one is what does the dirt say? So we pair images of real artifacts like oil lamps, scroll fragments or temple weights with the See, Think, wonder thinking routine. Students begin by observing, then they infer, then they wonder, what story does this object tell about the people of the Bible? Does this support something I've read in Scripture?
[00:01:06] So this turns your classroom into an active dig site where students excavate meaning and truth.
[00:01:39] Welcome to Learning by Design, the podcast that equips educators to teach with clarity, creativity and conviction. I'm Krishna Kart. I'm the founder of the Masterpiece Academy. If you're listening to this during the 2025 Educators Conference at the Museum of the Bible, welcome.
[00:01:58] This episode is a special edition to celebrate our newly launched self based professional development course for teachers called Unearthing Teaching through Archaeology Across Bible History, Science and literacy in K12.
[00:02:14] So let's dig in.
[00:02:16] Okay, so why dig and why now? Let's start with the big question. Why archaeology and why now?
[00:02:24] Kids are wired to discover.
[00:02:27] They want to touch, explore, question and analyze. And in a culture where truth is being questioned, archaeology lets us investigate biblical reliability through the physical evidence left behind.
[00:02:42] Archaeology is not just about broken pots and dusty scrolls. It's about critical thinking, cross curricular integration, and scripture based learning that students can hold in their hands.
[00:02:56] So this generation doesn't want to be told the Bible is true. They want to experience it.
[00:03:03] Okay, so let's I wanted to walk you through the five module course that I designed. So this five module course is designed for K12 teachers. Whether you're in a Christian school, public school, homeschool or hybrid setting.
[00:03:20] Here's what's Included in Module 1, the focus is why teach archaeology? It builds background understanding of archaeology's relevance in today's classrooms. It includes simulations. It includes simulations, misconceptions, and tools for sparking student inquiry.
[00:03:40] In module 2, tools of the Dig, it features classroom ready dig simulations, layer cake dig. You know, From K to 2 we have shoebox digs for grades 2 to 6 and grid digs for grade 6 to 12. It includes journal templates, record sheets, and it includes the Harvard Project Zero thinking routines, those visible thinking routines.
[00:04:06] And in module three, I entitled it Teaching the Bible through archaeology. It connects real world archaeological discoveries to scripture. It features case studies like the Dead Sea Scrolls and Gobekli Tepe, and it includes activities comparing ancient scrolls with Isaiah 53.
[00:04:26] And in module four, it's basically subject integration. One dig, many disciplines. It provides cross cultural planning tools, integrates archaeology with English and language arts, science, social studies, math and arts. It includes lesson design matrix, student choice boards and assessment rubrics. And finally in module 5, it's design your own dig based unit. It guides you through creating your own classroom ready project. It includes editable lesson planners, Common Core, NCCRS alignments, and the dig based lesson plan template using the 5e model. So upon completion, educators receive a PD certificate and you can access all of that in the link below.
[00:05:14] Okay, so I wanted to walk you through the mini lesson highlight what does the dirt say? So let me give you a taste. One powerful lesson prompt from module one is what does the dirt say?
[00:05:27] So we pair images of real artifacts like oil lamps, scroll fragments or temple weights with the See, Think wonder thinking routine. Students begin by observing. Then they infer, then they wonder what story does this object tell about the people of the Bible? Does this support something I've read in Scripture?
[00:05:49] So this turns your classroom into an active dig site where students excavate meaning and truth.
[00:05:57] It's all ready for you. This is not a theory heavy pd. It's hands on, self paced and classroom ready. You'll get editable lesson planners, rubrics and assessments, student journals and templates, project ideas for every grade brand and integration with Common Core and college and career readiness as standards and all other standards.
[00:06:19] You don't have to do it all.
[00:06:21] Start with one dig, one passage or one big question. We'll walk with you from inspiration to implementation.
[00:06:31] Help us spread the word. The Masterpiece Academy is proud to offer this course and much more. We're an affiliate School of Liberty University Online Academy using LUOA curriculum with hybrid learning online and in person support.
[00:06:47] We are now accepting students for 2025-2026 and we also offer after school enrichment that includes reading, writing, math and STEM enrichment. And we also offer test prep for gifted programs, magnet schools and for those of you who wanted to go to their dream colleges and universities.
[00:07:07] For schools and classrooms, we offer coaching and professional development.
[00:07:12] You can learn more at our website down below. And if this episode helped you, please share, email it to a colleague or scan the QR code on our conference poster. Let's equip more educators to bring the Bible to life through archaeology.
[00:07:31] Thanks for listening to Learning by Design. This is Krishna Kart from the Masterpiece Academy. Keep teaching truth with tools they can touch and let the dirt do some of the talking. See you next time.
