Lesson: Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs and Mummification

Grade Level: 5th grade

Objective:

Students will be able to understand and explain life as a pharaoh, their importance to ancient
Egypt and why they were mummified.

Standards:

SS2.1 - The study of world history requires an understanding of world cultures and civilizations,
including an analysis of important ideas, social and cultural values, beliefs, and traditions. This
study also examines the human condition and the connections and interactions of people across
time and space and the ways different people view the same event or issue from a variety of
perspectives.

SS2.3 - Study of the major social, political, cultural, and religious developments in world history
involves learning about the important roles and contributions of individuals and groups.

ELA2: Language for Literary Response and Expression. Students will read, write, listen, and
speak for literary response and expression.

Motivation:

Students will research ancient Egypt, pharaohs and mummies. In small group they will complete
a final paper and construct a presentation on a pharaoh of their choice, including their
mummification.

Materials/Resources:

• Ancient Egypt Discovery Case: Royal Ontario Museum

(http://www.rom.on.ca/programs/activities/egypt/learn/) – a reference for the students to
use to learn more about ancient Egypt and how to make a mummy.

• “Mummies Made in Egypt” by Aliki - to introduce how mummies were made.

• Internet for research

• King Tut One.com http://kingtutone.com/queens/nefertari/ - provides basic biographical

information about Queen Nefertari.

• http://www.pbs.org/empires/egypt/ - to get more information and video clips

• Materials for props and attire for presentations

Procedure:

• First we will start out discussing Ancient Egypt and the Pharaohs that once ruled it. We will
read “Mummies Made in Egypt” which discusses the mummification process and how they
were buried in tombs.
 • View video clips and website content on Ancient Egyptian pharaohs and mummies.

• Discuss important facts and concepts about ancient Egyptian civilization.

• Identify important vocabulary and names pertaining to ancient Egypt.

• Students will work in small groups to research a pharaoh of their choice they wish to learn
more about. They will learn about their reign and how they died. They will also learn about
mummification and its importance to their culture. They will use internet and library
resources to research their pharaoh.

• Throughout the lesson we will have class discussion on what we are learning about Ancient
Egypt and their beliefs.

• The groups will create a final report on what they have learned as half of their final
assignment. Some topics they will cover in their report are;

o Important leadership qualities they have noticed in their ruler and give specific
examples.

o Why did ancient civilizations such as ancient Egypt eventually disappear?

o What was the importance of mummification?

o How where pharaohs’ burials different from other Egyptians?

• The groups will also be creative in doing a presentation on their pharaoh or mummy. They
have the option of doing a power point presentation, they could dress in ancient attire and
act out a scene, create a mummy, song or do a creative arts display of their choice.

Student Performance:

Students will write a report on a pharaoh of their choice. They will have the option to present to
the class in a way they would like. They can use power point, dress up in ancient Egyptian attire
and act out a scene, use props or posters to present, etc.

Assessment:

Students will be assessed from their report as well as their creativity on their presentations. Each
student will be graded individually as well as points for their group and class participation.

Modifications:

• Extra time if needed

• One-on-one assistance

• Grouped according to levels (i.e. stronger student placed with a struggling student)

• Assistance with gathering presentation materials