About The Book

This book is an impressive and beautifully illustrated story based on the amazing archaeological discovery of the Miami Circle. In a smoothly flowing story it tells what this class did to learn from and bring attention to the Circle.

The book takes the reader into the classroom, onto a school bus and on a long awaited field trip to the Miami Circle. It is told by the thoughtful redhead, MillieMay who is full of questions and answers. You will meet MillieMay's teacher, an archaeologist and a group of Tequesta children who share their traditions and celebrations with MillieMay. She knows this is a special place for all the children now and in the future who reside in South Florida. She resolves to help save it. A glossary and lesson ideas are included for those wishing to delve deeper into learning about the Miami River, the vegetation, foods eaten by early people and the actual artifacts found at the Miami Circle archaeological site in the winter of 1998-1999.

TEACHERS:
Create A Dig for Your Students

Start saving neat old things: coins, jewelry, broken dishes, wooden carved pieces, beads, toy parts, game pieces etc.
Set rules for the dig: Respect others' space and findings. Objects found belong to classroom not individual etc. (save for next year!)
Find a plot of land in your schoolyard and have the students help loosen the dirt.
Have students help make a grid so every child in the class can have a plot at least 12” by 12”. Make it so children do not have to climb over other children. Use string tied to stakes and place craft sticks with each child’s name in their digging area.
To add to the fun and mystery, the teacher or parents should hide the items under the soil when the students are not around to see this happen. Make sure there is the same number of items in each plot if possible.
Have students dig with plastic spoons, knives and forks. Small paintbrushes can be used to brush off the dirt. Students should examine each item, draw around it and place it in a plastic sandwich bag.
When you return to the classroom have children carefully draw what they have found from more than one point of view. Glue any broken artifacts back together.
Discuss who might have lived in your area based what you may have learned about them from the artifacts. Have students write about your imaginary people. (ex. Did they have children? Were there any toy pieces? Were they wealthy? Was there any gold or silver jewelry? What did they eat or drink? Were there any corks, soda bottle caps or oyster shells or chicken bones?)
Display your artifacts, writing, photographs etc.
Invite others to come see your display! Enjoy!

From the Author: Thank you for enjoying MillyMay’s wonderful experience at the Miami Circle with me. The Circle is part of the early history of our city. Please come to see the beautiful spot where the Miami Circle was dug so many years ago. In the meantime, I hope you will enjoy the story over and over again!

ISBN13 (TP) 978-1-4363-8600-5
ISBN13 (HB) 978-1-4363-8601-2