Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan – Grade 6 Ancient Egypt – Who Killed King Tut?
Text: Who Killed King Tut?, Jimmy Dunn, Government of Egypt, http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/killtut.htm
Indicator(s):
SS.HAW.b
SS.HAW.c
Identify and distinguish between cause and effect, sequence, and correlation as tools for examining historic events
Make decisions and analyze decisions of individuals, groups, and institutions in other times and places, and evaluate the
consequences
SS.HAW.30.0 Describe the political, social systems, and economic systems of Egypt, Nubia/Kush
Objective(s):
Students will analyze historical and modern evidence to determine the cause of the death of King Tutankhamun.
Time Required: 45 minutes
Materials:
For the teacher: Socratic Seminar Record Sheet
For each student:
Copy of selected text(s)
Rules for a Good Fishbowl Discussion
Fishbowl Discussion: Overview
For each participant: Teacher’s Evaluation of Participant’s Performance
For each coach: Coach’s Evaluation of Participant’s Performance
Additional Questions:
 How old was King Tut when he died?
 What information did you find concerning King Tut’s death?
 Who (if anyone) does the author suggest may have killed King Tut?
 Who gains from King Tut’s death?
 Who succeeded King Tut to the throne?
 What other "facts" are included about King Tut’s death?
Pre-Seminar Activities:
Essential or
Provide students with some background knowledge of Opening Question:
Ancient Egypt and Tutankhamun.
How did King Tut die?
Provide selected text(s) for students to read prior to
Socratic seminar.
Participants and coaches will meet for a preconference to discuss the participant’s goals for the
discussion.
Post Seminar Activities:
The teacher will thank students for their participation
and summarize the main ideas and concepts examined
during the discussion.
Assessment Options:
The teacher will evaluate
participants and coaches
using rubric provided.
Coaches provide feedback to the participants during a
post-conference to acknowledge strengths and
identify weaknesses. The teacher will thank students
for their participation and summarize the main ideas
and concepts examined during the discussion.
If time permits, students
may write a paragraph or
complete an exit ticket to
explain what they learned
from the seminar.
Teacher Resources: The following background information about the death of King Tut may be shared with students prior to the seminar:
Who Killed King Tut?, Discovery Channel, (http://dsc.discovery.com/anthology/unsolvedhistory/kingtut/interactive/interactive.html)