Ancient Egypt - A WebQuest
Introduction
Ancient Egypt was the birthplace of one of the world's first civilizations. This advanced culture arose about 5,000 years ago in the Nile River Valley in northeastern Africa. It thrived for over 2,000 years and so became one of the longest lasting civilizations in history. The ancient Egyptians made outstanding contributions to the development of civilization. They created the world's first national government, basic forms of arithmetic, and a 365-day calendar. They invented a form of picture writing called hieroglyphics. They also invented papyrus, a paperlike writing material made from the stems of papyrus plants. The Egyptians developed one of the first
religions to emphasize life after death. They built great cities in which many skilled architects, doctors, engineers, painters, and sculptors worked.
The best-known achievements of the ancient Egyptians, however, are the pyramids they built as tombs for their rulers. . These gigantic stone structures—marvels of architectural and engineering skills—have been preserved by the dry climate for about 4,500 years. They serve as spectacular reminders of the glory of ancient Egypt.
Task
Imagine that you are a group of authors working for BMS Publishers, a publishing company in Elmira. You have an assignment to write and illustrate a book about Ancient Egypt.
Process/Resources
Your class will be divided into groups . You will divide the work among your group. Each of the members of your group will be responsible for at least two sections of your book about the culture and civilization of Ancient Egypt. Your first step should be to look at some of the books in the BMS library about Ancient Egypt. This may give you some ideas about information you may wish to include.
**As you are gathering your information using the links provided, print out any pictures that you may want to use to illustrate your book. To write your book, you must complete the following tasks:
TASK WEBSITE(S) TO USE 1 - Title Page: On your title page, include your book's title, the authors, publisher's name, and copyright information. Find a picture to print or scan to put on your book's cover. Include all documentation used for your book
NONE 2 - Map/Geography: Print out a map of Egypt. Locate and identify these features: Valley of the Kings, Cairo, Alexandria, Nile River, Mediterranean Sea, Giza, Red Sea, Rosetta.
Map of Egypt 3 - Chronology of Pharoahs and Queens: Make a timeline of pharoahs and queens, including King Tutankhamen, King Rammses II, Nefertiti and Akhenaten, Queen Hatshepsut, King Amenhotep IV, Queen Cleopatria VII, King Khabu, King Titi, and King Khufu. Don't forget to include the dates when they ruled.
Mark Millmore's Kings and Queens
4 - Daily Life: What was everyday life like in Ancient Egypt? Write one paragraph each about family life, education, food, clothing, shelter, recreation, and religion (a total of 7 paragraphs).
World Book Online (search for Ancient Egypt)
(look at Life By the Nile)
5 - Funerary Customs/Mummies: How were mummies made? List the steps involved in mummification.
6 - The Great Sphinx: Write a few paragraphs about this structure. Be sure to answer the following questions:
How big is it?
When was it built?
What is it made of?
What does the stele describe?
What is being done to preserve it?
Egypt: Architecture (search for Sphinx)
7 - Rosetta Stone/Hieroglyphics: Go to the Hieroglyphics Generator and translate each of your group member's names into hieroglyphics. Print them out and include them in your book.
Hieroglyphics Generator 8 - Pyamids: Draw a pyramid and label and describe the parts. Describe how a pyramid was built. Make sure you answer these questions:
How big is a pyramid?
How many blocks? How heavy are they?
How were they built?
Name some of the well-known Egyptian pyramids.
Nova Online/Pyramids 9 - Build Your Own Pyramid. Use the Nova Online/Pyramids site. Follow the directions and print the pyramid outline. Assemble the pyramid.
Nova Online/Pyramids (Pyramid Print) 10 - Fun Stuff! Each of the authors of your book should print out a coloring page to color and include in the book.
Rosetta Stone Coloring Book After you have completed the ten tasks, assemble the information in book form.
Other Resources
Here is a list of books about Ancient Egypt which can be found in the BMS Library. They are located on the reserve cart. Remember: Reserve books cannot be checked out!
- Caselli, Giovanni. In Search of Tutankhamun. New York: Peter Bedrick Books, 1999.
Donohughue, Carol. The Mystery of the Hieroglyphs. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.
Hart, George. Ancient Egypt. New York: Knopf, 1990.
Mann, Elizabeth. The Great Pyramid. New York: Mikaya Press, 1996.
Millard, Ann. Pyramids. New York: Kingfisher, 1996.
Millard, Anne. The New Book of Pharoahs. Brookfield, CT: Copper Beech Books, 1998.
Millard, Anne. The World of the Pharoah. New York: Peter Bedrick Books, 1998.
Morley, Jacqueline. First Facts about the Ancient Egyptians. New York: Peter Bedrick Books, 1996.
Morley, Jacqueline. How Would You Survive as an Ancient Egyptian? New York: Franklin Watts, 1995.
Murdoch, David H. Tutankhamun: The Life and Death of a Pharoah. New York: DK Publications, 1998.
Perl, Lila. Mummies, Tombs, and Treasure: Secrets of Ancient Egypt. New York: Clarion, 1990.
Putnam, James. Mummy. New York: Knopf, 1993.
Putnam, James. Pyramid. New York: Knopf, 1994.
Steedman, Scott. The Egyptian News. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 1997.
Tanaka, Shelley. Secrets of the Mummies. New York: Hyperion Books, 1999.
What Life Was Like on the Banks of the Nile. Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books, 1997.
Evaluation
Your book will be graded by both your classroom teacher and the library media specialist. The ten tasks are worth the number of points indicated below. Points will be given based on accuracy of information, amount of information, neatness, spelling and grammar.
- 10 - Title Page
- 10 - Map
- 10 - Chronology
- 10 - Daily Life
- 10 - Mummification
- 10 - Great Sphinx
- 10 - Hieroglyphics
- 10 - Pyramids
- 10 - Build Your Own Pyramid
- 5 - Fun Stuff
- 5 - at least 15 pictures included as illustrations
**Everyone in your group will receive the same grade. Conclusion
At the end of this project, you will have a better understanding of many aspects of ancient Egyptian culture.