By following these steps, you and your students can "read" objects and learn how much they have to tell us.

1.  Ask questions.

Physical Features

What does it look like, feel like, smell like, sound like?
Is anything missing?
Has it been changed over time?  How?
Is the object better or worse for the change?

Construction

Was it made by hand or machine? In a mold?  Is it a combination of hand made and machine made? How do you know?
Of what material(s) is it made?
Are they natural materials or synthetics?
Describe the different parts.

Function

What was its original purpose?
Does it have the same purpose now?
Does it have other uses than the one for which it was made?

Design

Is the object well-designed for its purpose?
Is it primitive or sophisticated? 
What technology was used its design and creation?
Is it decorative, functional, or both?
Has it evolved or been improved over time?
Does it have a counterpart today?
Could you design a better object for this purpose?

Value
What does the object reveal about the people who made and/or used it?
Consider social or religious customs, education, interests, concerns, resources, available technology, politics, economic state, for example.
Does the object have any historical value?
What value might the object have to different people?

2. Observe
3. Draw on knowledge and research
4. Discuss
5. Draw Conclusions