“Before we go you may want to get some water to take with you because it gets very hot in the desert and I want you to enjoy t

A LOOK AT EGYPT-

OLD AND NEW

While playing soccer in the backyard of his home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a young boy is mysteriously transported to the sands of the Egyptian desert. Follow the boy and his new Egyptian companion as they experience all the ancient and modern wonders of Egypt.

This is an educational quest created for fourth and fifth grade-age children. Upon completion of this quest, the students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of Egypt in various ways and express their own creativity.

Where in the world are you? Do you have ANY idea?!?! All you did was go looking under the bushes for your soccer ball and all-of-the-sudden you are in a different and unfamiliar place! Your house is gone, there’s no pool, you can’t find your dog and the trees have all disappeared! What in the world could be going on?!?!

This new place is very hot and dry, and there is sand everywhere. Is that a ……could it be a……a camel?!?!

“Hello, my name is Anwar. You look a little lost and out- of-place. Maybe I can help you out.”

“You say you are looking for your lost soccer ball and your dog in your home called Pittsburgh?! Well my friend, you are far from Pittsburgh – you are in the Western Desert in Egypt!! Yes, Egypt! Well, while you are here, would you like me to give you a tour of my beautiful homeland? YES, you say! Well let’s go!!!

“Before I show you around, do you know anything about Egypt?” Write down a few things that come to mind when you think of Egypt.

“Wow, you know quite a few things about my country. That’s great! Let me help you out with some more interesting facts.”

Let’s start with the basics: http://www2.sptimes.com/Egypt/EgyptCredit.4.1.html

What continent is Egypt on?

What is the capital of Egypt?

What is the major river in Egypt?

What language do they speak?

“Do you know anything about our environment, or our weather, or what kinds of animals you might see while you’re visiting?”

First, let’s look at the weather, http://touregypt.net/climate.htm

Describe what the weather is like.

Would you like to live here? Why or Why not?

“What kind of animals do you think would live in this kind of weather?”

Name three animals you think would live here.

“Now, go to http://touregypt.net/wildegypt/ and we will see if you are right. Find out what kinds of animals actually do live in Egypt. Maybe we will see some when I show you around later.”

Find out what animals live on land and describe some of their living habits, such as what they eat or how big they get.

What animals live in the Nile River?

“Ok enough talking lets get walking. Before we go you may want to get some water to take with you because as you now know, it gets very hot in the desert and I want you to enjoy the experience. Are you ready now? Well let’s go! The first place we will visit is the Sphinx. Do you know anything about the Sphinx? Well, follow me and you will learn many more things about this amazing treasure.”

http://guardians.net/egypt/sphinx

Explain what the Sphinx is and what is was used for.

Describe what the Sphinx is made of and where the material came from.

Who is believed to have requested the building of the Sphinx?

Who vandalized the Sphinx, what was the damage, and how was it damaged?

Now, imagine that the Mayor of your town has asked you to create a Sphinx for the town and a new use for this new creation. Below, draw and rename your own “Sphinx”.

Draw your new creation here:

Describe your creation’s new use(s):

“So, did you enjoy the Sphinx? We’re very proud of the work of our ancestors. Today, I have another architectural wonder for you to explore. Again, you will need lots of water for the trip today and we’ll also take some food. We’re on our way”!

http://guardians.net/egypt/giza1.htm#giza

Describe what you saw in and around the pyramids?

Describe the building process of the pyramids.

About how long did it take to build a pyramid?

Who are buried in the Pyramids? Are farmers, bankers and teachers buried in Pyramids? Why or why not?

Explain the main function of a Pyramid.

“How was your lunch? Good I hope. Now, we will do some more Pyramid exploring in one of the most famous pyramids in Egypt.”

http://guardians.net/egypt/tut1.htm

What was found in this tomb that had never been found before?

Describe what this unique “find” was.

What did the Egyptian Royalty have buried with them? Why?

If you had to design your own pyramid, what would it look like? Draw and describe your own pyramid. What would you have buried with you?

Draw your Pyramid here:

Describe what things and why you would want these things buried with you.

“Even though this has been quite an exhausting day, tomorrow we’ll get up extra early and I’ll show you the birth of our ancient language. I think you will find it very unique. Then later, we’ll head back out to the Pyramids for a while to look at some things we haven’t seen yet.”

“One important thing you should know about Egypt is their ancient way of writing. It is called Hieroglyphics. Hieroglyphics is pictures and symbols that are used as ways of communicating.”

Go to www.neferchichi.com/hieroglyphs.html

How long ago did Hieroglyphic writing begin?

What was used to figure out what the Hieroglyphic said?

What were Hieroglyphics used for?

Go to www.quizland.com/hiero.mv to see what your name looks like in Hieroglyphics.

“It’s a good thing we will be inside the Pyramids today because it is going to be especially hot today. Today we’re going to find out more about the reason why the Pyramids were built…mummies!! We’ll leave as soon as we finish our breakfast.”

http://www.si.umich.edu/CHICO/mummy/

What are mummies?

Why was mummification important to the Egyptians?

Describe the steps involved in mummification.

Would you want to be a mummy, or would you rather be buried? Explain your answer.

Describe the roles of four of the seventeen Gods of the Afterlife.

“It sounds like rain, we should be getting back to my house before we get caught in the storm. I have a great way for us to wait out the storm. I will show you how we can make our own miniature mummy statues. It’s fun and very easy. You can take yours back to Pittsburgh with you when you leave.” Go to www.rom.on.ca/egypt/mummy/mum1.html to get more information about making mummies.

Video

“Do you like stories? If you do, I have a new one for you. It is similar to your American Cinderella. Have you ever heard of Rhodopis? No? Well, she is our Egyptian Cinderella and every child is introduced to her when they are very young. Come, let’s read her tale.” If you would like to read more Egyptian folk tales, look at this:

http://www.unc.edu/~rwilkers/resource-egypt.htm

Audio/Story

As you read the story, think about how it is similar to the Cinderella you know.

Also, describe how is it different

“Would you like to take home some souvenirs from Egypt? Well you can’t pay with your American money, so you will have to exchange it for Egyptian money. You have $20.00 with you, go to www.aaa.com.au/matilda/business/ to find out how much your money is worth.”

$ 20.00 =

Now that you know how much money you have, let’s see what you can buy. Here are a few items you might like to take home with you.

An Egyptian A golden A picture of Giza

Statue costs cobra costs Pyramids costs

46.36 Lbs 38.63 Lbs 19.31 Lbs

Choose which one you would like to buy. Figure out how much Egyptian money you will have left after you buy your souvenir.

If you start with 77.27Lbs and you buy a souvenir you will have how much money left?

“Look over by that blowing sand. Is that your soccer ball? This might be the way to get back to Pittsburgh. Well, it has been nice showing you around my country but you better go quickly!! I had a lot of fun and I hope you did also. Hey wait, don’t forget your souvenirs!! BYE!!”