Ancient Egypt
|
Egypt's impact on later cultures was immense. You could say that Egypt provided the building blocks for Greek and Roman culture, and, through them, influenced all of the Western tradition.
Today, Egyptian imagery, concepts, and perspectives are found everywhere; you will find them in architectural forms, on money, and in our day to day lives. Many cosmetic surgeons, for example, use the silhouette of Queen Nefertiti (whose name means “the beautiful one has come”) in their advertisements. |
Learning Outcomes:
|
Ancient Egypt Cinema:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Social StudiesProject Based Learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge.
Use: - The Internet (Britannica) - The library - Software / Websites - Materials Read the instructions and activities clearly |
Ancient EgyptAncient Egypt was one of the greatest and most powerful civilizations in the history of the world. It lasted for over 3000 years from 3150 BC to 30 BC.
The Nile River: The civilization of Ancient Egypt was located along the Nile River in northeast Africa. The Nile was the source of much of the Ancient Egypt's wealth. Great Egyptian cities grew up along the Nile as the Egyptian people became experts in irrigation and were able to use the water from the Nile to grow rich and profitable crops. The Nile provided food, soil, water, and transportation for the Egyptians. Great floods would come each year and would provide fertile soil for growing food. Kingdoms and Periods: Historians usually group the history of Ancient Egypt into three major kingdoms called the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom. It was during these times that Ancient Egypt was at its strongest. The times between the Kingdoms are called intermediate periods. |
End of the Empire: The Ancient Egyptian Empire began to weaken in about 700 BC. It was conquered by a number of other civilizations. The first to conquer Egypt was the Assyrian Empire, followed a hundred or so years later by the Persian Empire. In 332 BC, Alexander the Great of Greece conquered Egypt and set up his own ruling family called the Ptolemaic Dynasty. Finally, the Romans came in 30 BC and Egypt became a province of Rome.
Fun Facts about Ancient Egypt: Egyptian men and women wore makeup. It was thought to have healing powers, plus it helped protect their skin from the sun. They used moldy bread to help with infections. They were one of the first civilizations to invent writing. They also used ink to write and paper called papyrus. The Ancient Egyptians were scientists and mathematicians. They had numerous inventions including ways to build buildings, medicine, cosmetics, the calendar, the plow for farming, musical instruments, and even toothpaste. Ancient Egypt plays a major role in the Bible. The Israelites were held captive there as slaves for many years. Moses helped them escape and led them to the Promised Land. The Pharaoh kept his hair covered. It was not to be seen by regular people. Cats were considered sacred in Ancient Egypt. |
Remember
Activity 1: Ancient Egypt TImelineCreate your own Ancient Egyptian Timeline Draw a timeline across the center of both pages. Label it like this:
|----------------------------------------------------------| 3500 BCE 500 BCE Add at least 20 things to your timeline for example: 3500 BCE - Mummification first used 3400 BCE - Earliest evidence of hieroglyphic writing place the events as close to the exact year as you can: |
Activity 2: Old Kingdom / Middle Kingdom / New KingdomArchaeologists divide ancient Egypt's history into three big blocks of time. In each block of time, all pharaohs behaved in a certain way. These blocks of time were called kingdoms. Scientists named these blocks the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom.
In the activity below you draw 3 circles on paper or on your computer and fill them up with facts and information about the Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom. |
Activity 3: Online Reading about Ancient Egypt - Pyramid MindmapFive thousand years ago, the fourth dynasty of Egypt's Old Kingdom was a highly advanced civilization where the kings, known as pharaohs, were believed to be gods. They lived amidst palaces and temples built to honor them and their deified ancestors. "Pharaoh" originally meant "great house," but later came to mean king. On the following website you will be reading about the incredible pyramids that were build in the Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt.
After you're done reading the pages on this website you will summarize the information in a mind-map. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pyramid/explore/age.html |
Understand
Activity 4: Understanding Egyptian GeographyAncient Egypt had many natural barriers. The mountains to the south helped to separate Egypt from the rest of Africa. There are deserts to the east and west of the Nile River. You could reach Egypt. They did not live in isolation. They were not alone in the ancient world. They knew that. But still, their natural barriers helped them to develop a culture uniquely Egyptian.
In the following activity you are researching several questions relating to Ancient Egyptian Geography. Open your document, use the internet, books and your knowledge to answer the following questions correctly. |
Activity 5: Understand The Importance of the Nile RiverIn the same centuries in which civilization was flourishing in Mesopotamia, another civilization was growing in what is now Egypt. Egypt is a country in the northeastern corner of Africa. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea on the north and by the vast desert known as the Sahara on the west. Most of present-day Egypt is dry, windswept desert. Through it, how- ever, runs the world’s longest river, the Nile. The Nile is the longest river in the world. It is shaped like a lotus flower, the design seen in ancient Egyptian art, math, and hieroglyphics. It runs south to north, beginning in the mountains in the south and ending 4,000 miles later at the Mediterranean Sea.
Each spring, snow on the mountains would melt. The Nile River would flood. This was a very good thing. When the flood waters receded, they left behind fertile soil. Crops could easily be grown in this black, rich soil. The ancient Egyptians called this soil the "The Gift of the Nile". The Nile provided other gifts to the ancient Egyptians. Papyrus, used for everything, grew wildly along its banks. It provided water for cooking and bathing. Fish and waterfowl were plentiful. Wild vegetables could be found, along with bird eggs. Egypt is located in the middle of a desert. But life along the Nile was splendid. Draw a map of Ancient Egypt, include the Nile and explain/draw on this map why the Nile was so important for the Egyptian People. |
Activity 6: Understanding the Daily Life in Ancient EgyptAnimals were very important to the ancient Egyptians. Unlike other ancient cultures, whose gods looked somewhat like people, most ancient Egyptian gods had animal heads. Cats, especially, were held in high esteem. The ancient Egyptians believed that cats had magical powers. They believed cats protected their home and children from danger, and helped their crops to grow. The ancient Egyptians carefully protected their cats. Any person who killed a cat paid for that crime with their life!
In this activity you will write a Diary Entry about your life in Ancient Egypt, Before you can write your 5 Paragraph Story you need to learn more about the daily life of an Egyptian by reading more information on this website. Take your time to read about Egyptian Houses, Clothing, Schools, Sports, Music, Dance etc on a website. Pick if you are a child, man or woman, slave and or pharaoh and describe your life in Ancient Egypt. Paraphrase information from the text. Do not make things up, your story needs to be based on facts. |
Apply
This week you need to pick 1 area of interest: Religions (Ac 7) , Monuments (Ac. 8) or Historical Figures. (Ac. 9)
You will create 10 trading cards including a title, picture and a short piece of information. You can use your computer to design these cards and do your research on or create them on a piece of paper.
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Trading-Cards
You will create 10 trading cards including a title, picture and a short piece of information. You can use your computer to design these cards and do your research on or create them on a piece of paper.
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Trading-Cards
Activity 7: Trading Cards ReligionThe ancient Egyptian gods include:
|
Activity 8: Trading Cards MonumentsThe ancient egyptian monuments include:
|
Activity 9: Trading cards historical figuresThe important historical figures featured in these cards include:
|
Analyze
Activity 10: Analyze Belief SystemsIn old Egypt, there were two Kingdoms called Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt. Both of these kingdoms had their own religions. When the two kingdoms became one many of the religious beliefs and cultures were combined. The Egyptian civilization lasted over 3,000 years and during this time many of the beliefs and customs changed.
The entire civilization of Ancient Egypt was based on religion, and their beliefs were important to them. Their belief in the rebirth after death became their driving force behind their funeral practices. - In this activity you choose 1 Egyptian god - You will research this god and draw it similar to the pictures below (A4 paper) - On the back of this picture you will write facts and information about this god. (minimal 2 paragraphs) |
Activity 11: Analyze Egyptian Society and LawsThe Ancient Egyptian Government was ruled first and foremost by the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh was the supreme leader not only of the government, but also of the religion. However, the Pharaoh couldn't run the government all by himself, so he had a hierarchy of rulers and leaders below him who ran different aspects of the government.
Activity: - Click on the Read first button followed by a test. - Draw a social pyramid as shown in the picture below. Who was on top of the Egyptian society? Who was below this man/woman? Fill out this pyramid, draw/color and decorate. |
Activity 12: Analyze and write HieroglyphicsFor over 5,000 years, people in Egypt used hieroglyphs to write their language. For most of that time, a scribe would have to learn about 500 signs in order to be able to read and write well. Most ordinary people didn't know how to read or write, though they might be able to read and write their own names, or recognize the names of their kings, which were surrounded by a loop that we call a cartouche.
Papyrus The Ancient Egyptians often wrote on tablets or walls, but they also wrote on a type of paper called papyrus. Papyrus paper was made from a tall reed like plant called Papyrus. The Egyptians would use strips of the inner stem of the plant to make the paper. They would make two layers of strips; one horizontal and the other vertical. Then they would cover it in a linen cloth and apply pressure with a mallet or stones. The strips would bind together over time making a single flat sheet to write on. - Watch the movie: - Follow the instructions below and create your own car touche with your name written on it.
|
Evaluate
Activity 13: Compare and Contrast (Venn Diagram)Egypt's impact on later cultures was immense. You could say that Egypt provided the building blocks for Greek and Roman culture, and, through them, influenced all of the Western tradition. Today, Egyptian imagery, concepts, and perspectives are found everywhere; you will find them in architectural forms, on money, and in our day to day lives. Many cosmetic surgeons, for example, use the silhouette of Queen Nefertiti (whose name means “the beautiful one has come”) in their advertisements.
Compare our life and their life with a Venn Diagram. Name at least 10 things that are the same, draw color and write in your diagram. The 21st century - Ancient Egypt |
Activity 14: The importance of the Nile (essay) - 4 paragraphs A four paragraph essay is an acceptable format for many types of essays. The four-paragraph essay consists of an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion.
WRITE AN ESSAY: Think of why the Nile was so important for the Egyptians, and explain why Ancient Egypt would have never existed without the Nile. write a four paragraph essay using the guidelines provided at the top of this paper. It should be no more than 230 words. Please provide a word count at the bottom of your paper. |
Activity 15: Evaluate Mummifcation ProcessAncient Egyptians believed in an afterlife, a real and beautiful place, where they played and lived after they died. To enjoy your afterlife, you couldn't just die. You had to prepare. To achieve immortality, you had to satisfy some requirements.
In this activity you will research the mummifying process by creating a step by step comic on the process. http://egypt.mrdonn.org/mummification.html http://www.ngkids.co.uk/history/how-to-make-a-mummy Use the website toondoo.com or draw on paper. |
Create
Activity 16: Ancient Egyptian City Map (2D / 3D)The cities of Ancient Egypt developed along the Nile River due to the fertile farmland along its banks. The typical city had a wall around it with two entrances. There was a major road down the center of the town with smaller, narrow streets connecting to it. The houses and buildings were made of mud-brick. If a building was destroyed in a flood, generally a new building was just built on top of it. Some cities in Ancient Egypt were specialized. For example, there were political towns that housed government workers and officials such as the capital cities of Memphis and Thebes. Other towns were religious towns centered around a major temple. Still other towns were built to house workers for major construction projects like the pyramids. Capital Cities The largest and most important cities in Ancient Egypt were the capital cities. The capital city moved over the course of time. The first capital city was Thinis. Some of the later capitals include Memphis, Thebes, Avaris, Akhetaten, Tanis, Sais, and Alexandria.
|
Activity 17: Life-size sarcophagusAncient Egyptians buried their dead in a decorative coffin, known as a sarcophagus. The Egyptians were deeply interested in spiritual matters, so the mummification process, funeral processions and the afterlife were important parts of their customs and culture. A decorated sarcophagus provided a means of helping the dead stay connected to the living in the afterlife. Ancient Egyptians typically painted a sarcophagus with detailed, ornate paintings and hieroglyphs that offered spiritual protection. They believed the artwork came to life in the after-world and helped the deceased in the journey from one place to another. They used brightly colored, cheerful paints to adorn the coffins. Most sarcophagi included paintings of large human eyes that provided a window, so the dead could see out of the coffin into the afterlife.
You are going to create your own sarcophagus! You need six events on your sarcophagus. Three events need to be memories that you want to take with you to the afterlife. The other three events will be memories from the future. Events in your life that haven’t happened yet but that you would like to happen Your sarcophagus must include: - A headpiece (5 points) - Six memories/events from your life (30 points) - Your name in Hieroglyphics (5 points) - It must be colorful!! (10 points) - The 10 items you’re taking to the after life in your sarcophagus (list on the back) (20 points) |
Activity 18: Ancient Egyptian Board GameDesign a boardgame about Ancient Egypt.
Senet (or Senat) is a board game from predynastic and ancient Egypt. The oldest hieroglyph representing a Senet game dates to around 3100 BC. The full name of the game in Egyptian was zn.t n.t ḥˁb meaning the "game of passing". Please following these steps in creating your own board-game about Ancient Egypt.
Websites: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Board-Game http://geekandsundry.com/6-must-know-game-design-tips-from-the-creative-director-of-fluxx/ |