K-12 Teaching Resources

We are in the process of compiling our list of free resources for Oklahoma K-12 teachers, as well as writing our own lesson plans for you. To stay up to date on our latest resources, email us at okarchaeology@gmail.com to be added to our email list!

Do you know of an amazing resource that we missed? Let us know, and we will add it to our growing list of the best in the nation!

We have also been compiling a list of wonderful books that K-12 teachers might consider using as a supplement to their textbook. Below are suggestions from other archaeologists, authors, and educators - click each book title for more information. If you would like to share other titles that teachers should know about, email us at okarchaeology@gmail.com!

1. Samantha Sutton and the Labyrinth of Lies, by Jordan Jacobs (2012)

Novel about the eventful excavation of a Peruvian temple at the Chavin de Huantar site, featuring a 12-year old. Uses realistic archaeological methods and ethics. Grades 6-8.

2. Samantha Sutton and the Winter of the Warrior Queen, by Jordan Jacobs (2014)

Novel about the eventful excavation of a Roman Britain site, featuring legends of the ancient fortress of Queen Boudica. Uses realistic archaeological methods and ethics. Grades 6-8.

3. Carbon Comics, by the University of Georgia Center for Applied Isotope Studies (2019)

Available in both Spanish and English, these comic books incorporate scientific methods like radiocarbon dating and archaeometallurgy. Appropriate for Grades 5-12, but written at a 5th-grade reading level.

4. Mystery of the Lascaux Cave (Frozen in Time series), by Dorothy H. Patent (1999)

Discusses the walls on the cave, the discovery of the cave, and efforts to preserve it. Grades 4-8.

5. Secrets of the Ice Man (Frozen in Time series), by Dorothy H. Patent (1999)

Describes Oetzi the Ice Man and the data from the forensic technologies used to examine him. Grades 4-8.

6. Treasures of the Spanish Main (Frozen in Time series), by Dorothy H. Patent (2000)

Describes Mel Fisher’s discovery of the Atocha shipwreck.

7. The Incredible Story of China’s Buried Warriors (Frozen in Time series), by Dorothy H. Patent (2000)

Discusses the discovery of and the mystery behind the thousands of buried terra cotta warriors belonging to Qin Shihuangdi, First Emperor of China. Grades 4-8.

8. Lost City of Pompeii (Frozen in Time series), by Dorothy H. Patent (2000)

A clear format and beautiful illustrations show the discovery of the Roman city of Pompeii and how the volcanic eruption of 79 AD preserved the city. Grades 4-8.

9. The Horse and the Plains Indians: A Powerful Partnership, by Dorothy H. Patent (2012)

Describes the historical significance of the introduction of the horse to Native Americans living on the Plains.

10. I Can Be an Archaeologist, by Robert B. Pickering (1987)

Describes what an archaeologist is and what kind of work they do. Grades 1-3.

11. The People, by Robert B. Pickering (1996)

Discusses the early history of North American people, prior to contact with Europeans.

12. The Buffalo Jump, by Peter Roop (1996)

This prehistoric method of hunting, the buffalo jump, is described here from the point of view of a young Native American boy. Grades 1-4.

13. Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland, by Sally Walker (2009)

Shows how the scientists investigated graves at Jamestown and other colonial sites to learn the stories of those that died there. Grades 6-12.

14. The Illustrated Practical Encyclopedia of Archaeology: The Key Sites, Those Who Discovered Them, and How To Become and Archaeologist, by Christpher Catling (2010)

Shows how-to sequences on field surveys, excavations, handling finds, and dating artifacts, alongside a reference to the world's greatest archaeological finds

15. Tales of Ancient Worlds: Adventures in Archaeology, by Stefan Milosavljevich (2023)

Explores various archaeological discoveries, from shipwrecks to Egyptian treasure and Viking artifacts, explaining how archaeologists use these finds to understand ancient people.

16. Dig It!: Archaeology for Kids, by Caitlin Sockin (2024)

A guide to the world of archaeology, detailing the steps involved in a real dig, including excavation, lab work, interpretation, and conservation. It includes at-home activities and QR codes linking to online videos of archaeological sites and techniques

17. Hunt for the Golden Scarab: An epic time travel adventure, by M.G Leonard (2025)

A time travelling adventure book that explores the world of Ancient Egypt and its artifacts.

18. Dex Dingo: World's Best Greatest Ever Archaeologist, by Greg Foley (2025)

A fictional kids book about the title character becoming an archaeologist. 

19. The Forgotten Summer of Seneca: A Novel, by Camryn Garrett (2025)

A story about a magically preserved piece of the past, explores the history of Seneca which is often overlooked and asks readers to remember the past. 

20. Indya the Archaeologist: Old Sacramento, by Alexandra Jones (2025)

The story follows a girl named Indya who dreams of becoming an archaeologist to better understand the history of Old Sacramento California.

21. Little Archaeologist, by Dan Taylor (2021)

This book introduces very young readers to the concept of archaeology by introducing them to basic but important tools. 

22. The Street Beneath My Feet, by Charlotte Guillain (2017)

A fold out book to visually depict layers in the Earth to teach children about archaeology (as well as geology as a bonus) to understand the layers of history beneath the surface. 

23. Shipwreck Search: Discovery of the H. L. Hunley, by Sally M Walker (2007)

Depicts the real story of the discovery of the Civil War submarine H.L Hunley, and the process of a team of scientists and archaeologists to raise and investigate this historical shipwreck. 

24. Disasters at Sea: A Visual History of Infamous Shipwrecks, by Liz Mechem (2014)

Depicts how archaeologists can uncover shipwrecks and what they can learn from artifacts they retrieve. 

25. A Little History of Archaeology, by Brian Fagan (2025)

Tells the story of many fascinating archaeologist adventures throughout history and their discoveries such as Mayan ruins, Pompei and more. 

26. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Archaeology, by Bahn Catling (2022)

This illustrated encyclopedia is a comprehensive guide to key archaeological sites around the world, the people who discovered them, and advice on becoming an archaeologist.

27. If Stones Could Speak: Unlocking the Secrets of Stonehenge, by Marc Aronson (2010)

A non fiction book depicting how archaeologists study to understand the Stonehedge to uncover its secrets, provides a fascinating account of how archaeology works in relation to a well known historical site. Includes images to engage a range of readers. 

28. The Hero Schliemann: The Dreamer Who Dug for Troy, by Laura Amy Schlitz (2013)

An illustrated biographical story of an archaeologist who sought to find the ruins of Troy.  

29. The Tomb Robber and King Tut, by Sarah Gauch (2015)

This book is a fictional story imagining the archaeological discovery of King Tut's tomb in the 1920s through the eyes of a young Egyptian boy who helps Howard Carter with the excavation.

30. Egypt's Mysterious Pyramids: An Isabel Soto Archaeology Adventure, by Agnieszka Biskup (2012)

A graphic novel archaeology adventure, one of a series of archaeology adventures, depicting the story of a woman undovering the secrets of the great pyramids of Egypt.