Ancient Egypt

Mathematics, Social Studies, Art, Technology, Science,
Religion and Language Arts

Grades 5-8

This project was developed as part of the Title III Technology Literacy Challenge Grant’s

Capital Region Collaboration for Technology Education

2002

This graphic is from: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pyramid/explore

Created by Theresa Reid

Email: tech1@nycap.rr.com

St. Pius X School / Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany

Introduction

The Egyptian pyramids — they are the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Do those words paint mental pictures in your mind? Just the mention of the word "pyramid" and minds start generating all kinds of images, from hot sands to camel caravans. The sites below will help you to expand the mental pictures of your students while also giving them lots of terrific information on the theme of Ancient Egypt.

1. Pyramids and Temples Menu

In this website you will find information on pyramids and temples, which includes computer-generated reconstructions of what the pyramids and temples might have looked like when they were first built. There are also many interactive ground plan maps, photos, paintings and drawings from my visits to these ancient monuments.
http://www.discoveringegypt.com/pyr-temp.htm

2. Construction of the Pyramids

Learn about the construction of the pyramids - the various possible methods of Pyramid construction at this website:
http://interoz.com/egypt/construction/construc.htm

3. Encyclopedia Smithsonian: The Egyptian Pyramid

This is a good overview (though perhaps a tad dry?) of the pyramids. This site gives a list of books at the end, so your students will have more resources when they visit the library. http://www.si.edu/resource/faq/nmnh/pyramid.htm

4. Nova

Learn about Ancient Egypt, the history of Giza, who built the pyramids, take a virtual tour of the pyramids and much, much more! Check this website out at: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pyramid/explore/

5. Egypt

This site has a great collection of photos of artifacts from Egypt. To see these photos click here: http://www.internet-photo.com/Countries/Egypt/Egypt.html

6. Guardian’s Egypt – Tour the Pyramids of Egypt

By combining the most modern technology with the most ancient, you can now look through the pyramids of Egypt from the comfort of your own home - http://www.guardians.net/egypt/pyramids/tour_the_pyramids.htm

7. Science Applied to Archaeology: Are Pyramids Made Out of Concrete?

Since the early eighties, Prof. Joseph Davidovits is proposing that the pyramids and temples of Old Kingdom Egypt were constructed using agglomerated limestone, rather than quarried and hoisted blocks of natural limestone.
http://www.geopolymer.org/archaeo1a.html

7. ODYSSEY

This is a great website for younger students! Facts about Egypt and the pyramids are broken down into categories – for example, mummies, pyramids, people, and daily life. There is much more information. Check it out at:
http://www.carlos.emory.edu/ODYSSEY/EGYPT/pyramids.html

8. Art of Egypt Activities

Art of Egypt is a site with two online activities. One is geared to looking closely at an exhibit called "Splendors of Ancient Egypt" which has been touring the US. Students may use the activity to learn to copy and edit images from the web. "The Mystery of Tutankhamen" is an exploration of what may have caused the untimely death of Pharaoh Tutankhamen, with multilevel thinking and questioning activities. Lastly there are links to other Egyptian Art and Historic sites, some created by students, others by museums.
http://www.classroom.com/edsoasis/TGuild/Lessons/egypt2.html

9. Welcome to Pyramids
Dubai's most luxurious leisure complex adds a new meaning to the word 'leisure'. A magnificent piece of architecture that truly deserves to be called the eighth wonder of the world, Pyramids enjoys the status as a premier venue for those seeking leisure with a difference. Step inside a world of grand sweeping stairways, exquisite marble arches, rich carvings and paintings and imposing Egyptian statues and be swept away into the mysterious era of ancient Egypt. http://www.pyramidsdubai.com/intro/intro_frame.html

10.King TutOne.Com
It’s hard to imagine standing towards the base of the Great Pyramid and pondering on the idea that this super structure was made by man 4000 years ago. Its colossal structure has left a lasting indentation on our modern times and continues to inspire many ideas and architecture. Come learn about the Great Pyramids of Ancient Egypt and discover for yourself why these super structures have left the world intrigued.
http://www.kingtutone.com/pyramids/

11. Ancient Egypt Teacher Resource File
This is a great website for teacher and students alike – but, this website is for older students. This website is filled with lessons on Ancient Egypt using all the different disciplines. For instance a math teacher can use this website to find a lesson on the theme of Ancient Egypt -- Babylonian and Egyptian Mathematics for example.
http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/egypt.htm#A5

Teacher Notes

Process

In grades 5-8^th, students can use these websites to enhance the theme of Ancient Egypt. No matter what the discipline students can use these websites for mathematics, history or art to connect the disciplines with the theme. The websites can be used as Internet resources or teachers can use the lesson plans.

NYS Learning Standards and the National Technology Educational Standards

NYS Learning Standards and the NETS

Mathematics, Science, and Technology:

Standard 1: Analysis, Inquiry, and Design Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.

Standard 2: Information Systems Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information using appropriate technologies.

Standard 3: Mathematics Students will understand mathematics and become mathematically confident by communicating and reasoning mathematically, by applying mathematics in real-world settings, and by solving problems through the integrated study of number systems, geometry, algebra, data analysis, probability, and trigonometry.

Standard 5: Technology Students will apply technological knowledge and skills to design, construct, use and evaluate products and systems to satisfy human and environmental needs.

Standard 6: Interconnectedness: Common Themes Students will understand the relationships and common themes that connect mathematics, science, and technology and apply the themes to these and other areas of learning.

English Language Arts:

Standard 1: Language for Information and Understanding Students will listen, speak, read, and write for information and understanding. As listeners and readers, students will collect data, facts, and ideas; discover relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and use knowledge generated from oral, written, and electronically produced texts. As speakers and writers, they will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language to acquire, interpret, apply, and transmit information.

Standard 2: Language for Literacy Response and Expression Students will read and listen to oral, written, and electronically produced texts and performances from American and world literature; relate texts and performances to their own lives; and develop an understanding of the diverse social, historical, and cultural dimensions the texts and performances represent. As speakers and writers, students will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language for self-expression and artistic creation.

Languages Other Than English:

Standard 2: Cultural Understanding Students will develop cross-cultural skills and understandings.

The Arts:

Standard 1: Creating, Performing, and Participating in the Arts Students will actively engage in the processes that constitute creation and performance in the arts (dance, music, theatre, and visual arts) and participate in various roles in the arts.

Standard 2: Knowing and Using Arts Materials and Resources Students will be knowledgeable about and make use of the materials and resources available for participation in the arts in various roles.

Standard 3: Responding to and Analyzing Works of Art Students will respond critically to a variety of works in the arts, connecting the individual work to other works and to other aspects of human endeavor and thought.

Social Studies:

Standard 2: World History Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of major ideas, eras, themes, developments, and turning points in world history and examine the broad sweep of history from a variety of perspectives.

Standard 3: Geography Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of the geography of the independent world in which we live-local, national, and global-including the distribution of people, places, and environments over the earth's surface.

National Technology Educational Standards for Students

Basic operations and concepts

Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems.
Students are proficient in the use of technology.

Social, ethical, and human issues

Students understand the ethical, cultural, and societal issues related to technology.
Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.
Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.

Technology productivity tools

Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.
Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works.

Technology communications tools

Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences.
Students use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.

Technology research tools

Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.
Students use technology tools to process data and report results.
Students evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness for specific tasks.

Credits and References

Graphic Images used on this page were made possible by:

v Pyramid graphic: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pyramid/explore

v Wallpaper image: http://www.pyramidsdubai.com/intro/intro_frame.html

Graphic Images used on this page courtesy of Microsoft Design Gallery Live