Draft Ancient Egypt Lesson – 3rd Grade (Summer 2012) – Wayzata Public Schools
Strand II -- Ancient Egypt
Lesson 1 – Overview of Ancient Civilizations
Big Idea/Essential Question: What is ancient? How can I represent events that happened in the past?
Learning Targets
Content/Concepts/Vocabulary

I can explain the difference between BCE/B.C.
and CE/A.D.

I can create a timeline (using BCE), with my
classmates, that includes important events from
ancient to modern times.
BCE and CE
B.C. and A.D.
history
ancient (the distant past)
basic needs
civilization (an advanced society that has their own language, government system
(set of rules), belief system, and culture (art, architecture, etc.)
Possible Activities
1. Time, Time, Time Activity (linked to 3rd Grade Ancient Civilizations Moodle page)
 Decade = 10 years
 Century = 100 years
 Millennium = 1000 years
2. Discuss and color Ancient Civilizations map (History Pockets p13)
3. Create a timeline that includes ancient civilizations (History Pockets pp14 & 16)
4. “When Did it Happen? Activity (History Pockets pp14-15)
5. Lesson 1 SMART Notebook File (linked to 3rd Grade Ancient Civilizations Moodle page)
Social Studies Notebook Entries**
1. Vocabulary entries (see History Pockets pp10-11).
2. Journal/Reflection: Why do you think it’s important to learn about ancient civilizations? What do you hope
to learn about ancient Egypt? (ELA 3.6.1.1)
Classroom Timeline Project
Begin classroom timeline.
 Free Ancient Egypt timeline pack available at http://www.sparklebox.co.uk/4981-4990/sb4981.html#.UKaqko79Pfg
 If 1 inch equals a year, it will take approximately 410 feet of paper (adding machine tape/roll of paper)
to represent the amount of time between the present day and the start of the Egyptian empire.
 Timeline examples have been linked to the 3rd Grade Ancient Civilizations Moodle page.
Lesson Resources
History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations (Grades 1-3), Evan-Moor Publishing
Time, Time, Time Activity (2 metal pans; 1 large plastic cup; 100 medium sized beads)
NUA Notebook Protocol
** Students will use a social studies notebook to keep track of their learning.
The notebook should follow the format suggested by NUA (table of
contents, numbered pages, dates). Students should glue in vocabulary pages from History Pockets. In addition, students can use various thinking
maps to demonstrate their thinking. Time should be built into each lesson for students to journal/respond to various prompts. The responses can be
used to facilitate class discussions or be used as formative assessments.