1. Begin with the orientation show in the theater.
  2. Exhibit areas - Information to discover

    In order to help protect our exhibits, students may not use writing materials in the Exhibit Gallery. Devise a system for them to search, find and remember the information. Tables in the Cafe may be used for writing and, on occasion, adults accompanying the groups may be responsible for writing down information discovered by the children in the gallery, but writing permits must be issued first.

    1. Birdman Tablet

      How does the birdman tablet represent the three worlds?

      1. Sky World:
      2. This World:
      3. Underworld:
        *On the way home, look for the Birdman on the I-255 overpasses
    2. Time Exhibit
      1. What was the physical setting of the Mississippians?
      2. What previous cultures were located here?
      3. Who were Cahokia's neighbors?
      4. Where did previous mound builders live?
      5. What else was going on in the world?
    3. Culture Exhibit
      1. How did Mississippian communities grow?
      2. How do we know about the Mississippians?
      3. What are the characteristic traits of the culture?
      4. What other sites were inhabited by Mississippians?
      5. What was the social organization of the culture?
    4. City Exhibit
      1. How was Monks Mound constructed?
      2. What was the size and population of the City of Cahokia?
      3. Name one reason for reusing Urban Ground.
      4. Compare Cahokia to St. Louis
    5. Structures Exhibit
      1. What were the purposes of Woodhenge?
      2. Why was a stockade wall built around the city?
      3. What were the Cahokian building styles?
      4. What was the use of the different mounds?
        1. Platform
        2. Conical
        3. Ridgetop
    6. Life Exhibit
      1. What jobs were adapted to seasons?
      2. How did they provide and prepare food?
      3. What was the impact of agriculture?
      4. What were the distinct social classes?
      5. How did they play?
      6. What were the Mississippian beliefs?
    7. Products Exhibit
      1. How were stone tools made?
      2. What are the uses of animals?
      3. How did they make use of wood?
      4. How was pottery made?
      5. How as shell used?
      6. What items were made from natural fibers?
    8. Archaeology Exhibit
      1. How do archaeologists gather evidence?
      2. How are materials from excavation analyzed?
      3. How are the results of analyses interpreted and published?
      4. How is a mound excavated?