The Nile River
Objective—Students will learn about the importance of the Nile River to the
Egyptian civilization and create haiku poetry (see description below) which
describes the attributes and characteristics of the Nile River.
Lesson:
Students will read “Geography and Early Egypt,” Section 1, page 88-91 from the
textbook.
Activity:
Students brainstorm in small groups a list of words pertaining to the Nile River.
Independently, the student will then create three haiku, which describe the aspects
and characteristics of the Nile. They will place the haiku on cardstock and illustrate
it with images that also pertain to the Nile.
Haiku
Poetry Description:
A Haiku is a Japanese poem (sometimes Chinese) consisting of three lines
with seventeen syllables. These poems are usually, but not always about nature.
Applications for History Class:
A Haiku can be used to describe the geography of a historical area.
Students should attempt to describe the essence of the geography.
Directions:
1st line 5 syllables
2nd line 7 syllables
3rd line 5 syllables
Sample: Beautiful Nile
Swiftly flowing river song
Egyptian Treasure
Optional Formats of Poem:
Acrostic Poetry
Poetry Description:
An Acrostic poem consists of one or more words following the letters of a word
written vertically.
Applications for History Class:
An Acrostic poem may be used to describe a person, place or event.
Directions:
Write the name of the object being described vertically (The Nile River).
Using each letter, add words that describe the name. One word may suffice, but for
most lines use several words or a phrase.
Sample: M
E
S
O
P
O
T
A
M
I
A
Means place between two rivers
Everyone wanted to farm there
Sumer was located here
Outstanding hanging gardens in Babylon
People invented the wheel
Often fought among themselves
The flooding provided silt
Assyrians were Brutal Warriors
Most women took care of homes
Invention of Cuneiform
A clay tablet and stylus were writing instruments.
Format used with teaching artist Ms. Catherine, La Jolla Playhouse (the
highest grade a student can earn with this format is a C)
A. Paragraph Phrase
1. Describing word/phrase
2. Describing word/phrase
3. Describing word/phrase
B. Paragraph Phrase
1. Describing word/phrase
2. Describing word/phrase
3. Describing word/phrase
C. Paragraph Phrase