Knowledge Stream Lesson Title: Egypt Lesson
Grade level(s): 6-8
Author and School: Anita Price, Lake Middle School, Millbury, Ohio
Date: 5/1/10
Lesson Summary: In this lesson, students in grades 6-8 will study Egypt and Egyptian culture while
viewing several video clips from Knowledge Stream of Carolyn and Richard Putney. Students will use a
map and a website to further their knowledge about ancient Egyptian life to present day.
Materials Needed:
A. Knowledge Stream Video clips: Carolyn and Richard Putney, Miles Up the Nile, video clips
B. Computer and projector for viewing videos
C. Computers for students use
D. Egypt map (handout)
E. Ancient Egypt Study Guide (handout) Adapted from: PBS.org
http://www.pbs.org/empires/egypt/pdf/lesson7_stud_guide.pdf
F. The British Museum website http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/geography/explore/main.html
(various Egypt maps for further study)
G. Additional Information: http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/menu.html
Standards:
Language Arts: Comprehension (Note taking)
Social Studies: Geography, People and Societies
Lesson Implementation ______________________________________________________________
Engage: (10 minutes) To engage students will view the video clip titled Ancient Egypt Culture. This clip
will give students a quick look at artwork and Egyptian culture as an overview.
Explore: (15 minutes) Students will explore the video clip titled, Nile River, to further understand Egypt
historically and currently. Pass out the map of Egypt for students to circle, highlight the places on the
map that are discussed in the video. Discuss the relationship between the civilization in Egypt and the
Nile River with students in an open sharing format.
Explain: (10 minutes) Pass out the Ancient Egypt Study Guide handout for students to preview before
watching the last video clip, Culture. Students will watch the clip while filling in as many questions as
they can from all the clips viewed to check their comprehension of information learned.
Evaluate: (20 minutes) Students will be evaluated by completing the Ancient Egypt Study Guide. Allow
students to use a computer and go to the British Museum website to help them answer any remaining
questions.
Extend: (20 minutes) Students will use their Ancient Egypt Study Guide and share the additional facts
they learned in small groups. Students may also share interesting information found on the British
Museum website as an extension activity.
Name________________________________________________________
date_______________
Egypt Map
As you listen to the video clip, Nile River, use a different color highlighter as a new place on the
map is discussed.
About.com: Geography, accessed 5/1/10
http://geography.about.com/od/findmaps/ig/Country-Maps/Map-of-Egypt.htm
Name____________________________________________________ date______________________
Ancient Egypt Study Guide
Directions: Read each question below carefully. Using the maps available on the
British Museum’s Web site and the information learned from all the Putney video
clips answer the questions.
[http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/geography/explore/main.html] and the Day in the Life
[http://www.pbs.org/empires/egypt/special/lifeas/index.html], Natural Resources
[http://www.pbs.org/empires/egypt/newkingdom/resources.html], and Farming
[http://www.pbs.org/empires/egypt/newkingdom/farming.html] features on the Egypt’s
Golden Empire Web site, answer each question below using as much detail as possible.
1.What countries border modern-day Egypt?
2.Name the major bodies of water that surround and are a part of Egypt.
3.In what region of the world is Egypt located?
4.What types of things are mined in ancient Egypt?
5. What kinds of stone came from ancient Egyptian quarries, and what was this stone
used for?
6.What is a delta, and why was the delta of the Nile important to ancient Egypt?
7. What is an oasis, and how were oases used by the ancient Egyptians?
8. Where were the fertile lands in ancient Egypt located?
9. Describe how and why the ancient Egyptians were able to grow crops in these fertile
land areas.
10. Discuss why the Nile River was so important to the ancient Egyptians by listing its
various uses and the resources it provided.
11. List at least five natural resources that were available in the ancient Egyptian
empire and explain what each would have been used for.
12. Based on the availability of resources and the geographical features of the Egyptian
Empire, how do you think the sites for the pyramids and temples were chosen?
13. List other interesting things you learned about ancient Egypt’s geography
and resources here.
Adapted from: PBS.org
http://www.pbs.org/empires/egypt/pdf/lesson7_stud_guide.pdf