Cave at Lascaux 2 Day Lesson: Guided Reading and Class Mural Activity

This non-fiction guided reading and class mural activity was created with 6th graders in mind and is appropriate while studying Early People/Prehistoric People/Paleolithic Era/European History/Art History/UNESCO. This lesson introduces students to a 17,000 year old Paleolithic community in France that left behind a cave full of hundreds of paintings of animals that was accidentally discovered by teenagers in 1940. Students answer 2 guided reading questions and a "3-2-1" that connects the cave findings with student interests. On Day 2, all students contribute to the creation of 2 murals at the back of the classroom: one recreating the Cave as Lascaux and the other, a mural of our local community. The point of this activity is not only to teach students about Paleolithic cave paintings, but also to introduce them to the importance of research and preservation. Comes with Answer Key! Makes a great bulletin board.

I teach this lesson in the same unit as another lesson I have posted called Çatalhöyük: Oldest City on Earth! Create Your Own Neolithic Board Game Activity. Another great bulletin board!