Activities to Teach Students About Ancient Egypt: the Old Kingdom
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Ancient Egypt is one of the most fascinating civilizations that has ever existed. With an incredible cultural heritage and a unique perspective on life, the ancient Egyptians have captivated the minds of people all around the world for centuries. For educators, teaching about ancient Egypt can be a fun and engaging way to introduce students to history, geography, and cultural understanding. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best activities to teach students about Ancient Egypt, focusing on the Old Kingdom period.
The Old Kingdom period of Ancient Egypt is believed to have lasted from 2686 BC to 2181 BC. During this time, the first pyramids were built, and the pharaohs exerted their control over the land. It was a time of great prosperity and stability, and it is often considered the golden age of Ancient Egypt. Here are some activities that can help bring this period to life in the classroom:
1. Create a timeline – Using a timeline template, students can research and record key events and people from the Old Kingdom period. This activity will allow them to develop an understanding of how events unfolded and what significant changes happened during this time.
2. Build a pyramid – Using modelling clay, students can attempt to reproduce a scaled-down version of a pyramid. This activity will give them great insight into the engineering skills required to build such massive structures, as well as the materials used during that time.
3. Make a Pharaoh’s mask – Students can use paper mache to create their own Pharaoh’s mask. They can study pictures of ancient masks, and incorporate elements of the Old Kingdom style into their designs. This activity will give students a better understanding of how the pharaohs were regarded in Ancient Egypt.
4. Create hieroglyphic translations – Assigning each student a different hieroglyphic, and tasking them with creating their own message in the ancient writing system. This activity will help students understand the complexity of the language, as well as allowing them to appreciate the value of record-keeping in Ancient Egypt.
5. Undertake a mummification demonstration – While this activity may be slightly more macabre than some of the others, it is undoubtedly one of the most engaging. Students can learn about the mummification process used by the Ancient Egyptians to preserve the bodies of the dead.
There are many other activities that can be used to help students understand the Old Kingdom period of Ancient Egypt. From creating ancient jewelry to organizing a mock election for a pharaoh’s heir, the possibilities are endless.
In summary, Ancient Egypt provides an excellent scope for teaching about history, geography, and cultural understanding in the classroom. By offering hands-on activities like those detailed above, you can keep your students engaged and make the learning experience more enjoyable. In the Old Kingdom period, students can learn about the processes and tools used to build great engineering feats, the intricacies of the language, and customs like mummification. By teaching this engaging and storied time period, we equip our students with essential knowledge and promote enthusiasm for learning about different cultures.