Unit VII Material Culture: The Stuff of Life
Lesson 1 Reading Artifacts

The Story Within Worksheet

Date _______________

Team Members

Recorder
 		 ____________________________
 		 Engineer
 		 ____________________________
 
Reporter
 		 ____________________________
 		 Curator
 		 ____________________________
 
 
 		 ____________________________
 		  
 		 ____________________________
 


Task: Your research team has just arrived from the Galaxy Domesticus and is trying to write a description of an object you have found for a report to send back. Her Most Royal Highness has specifically ordered that your description must include these three categories: Function, Form, and Meaning (Utility, Aesthetics, and Context).

Directions: Examine the object very carefully and record information in each category.

 

Function (Utility)

This object is used for ___________________________________________________

It is used by ___________________________________________________________

Is the object sold? _____________ If yes, what is its cost? ______________________

Is the object's primary function utilitarian, decorative, or both? __________________

Is it hard to learn to use it? _____________________________

How does one learn? __________________________________________________

Other _______________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

 



Form (Aesthetics)

Shape __________________________________________________________

What are the parts? ________________________________________________

Measurements: Length_____ Width_____ Weight_____ Height_____

Size of Parts ______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Color(s) ___________________________________________________________

Smell ______________________________________________________________

Texture ____________________________ Condition ____________________

Is it considered beautiful or pleasing? __________________________________

Why and by whom? ________________________________________________

Other ___________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

 

Meaning (Context)

It was made by ____________________________________________________

It is about ______ years old because __________________________________

It is usually kept or stored __________________________________________

Meaning to its maker and its users ______________________________________

Sentimental, symbolic, and cultural importance ____________________________

__________________________________________________________________

 

More Information

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

Conclusion

We will name this object __________________________________________

Its main purpose is: ___Function (Utility) ___Form (Aesthetics) ___Meaning (Context)

Explain: ____________________________________________________________

 

 

Summary

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

 

For a PDF of this page click here.