Egyptian Projects






Every year I do an Egyptian project with the fourth grade. I try to time it so it happens right before their trip to the DIA where they see the sarcophagus.  I've done full body sarcophagus, but with only 30 minute classes, they take forever. Last year we did just the heads but since my computer crashed last May I lost those pictures but you can see them if you search under fourth grade. A favorite was the hot dog containers I picked up at GFC. The students decorated the outside and then made a clay mummy for the inside.  This year I tried the foil technique. At NSE we wrapped our glued paper with foil after we put a piece of cardboard on the back, then wiped the front with black paint. I wasn't very happy with this result so after some investigating I found I should have used four layers of foil. But I have over 260 4th graders and someone would have to melt a car for all that aluminum. So I had PKE and CE use permanent markers instead.  Next year I have my eye on the canopic jars. 

Comments

  1. kszwahlFebruary 11, 2012 at 1:52 PM

    I have done Egyptian units too with my 4th grades. I love telling them all about the mummies and jars. They always go "OO-oo-oo coo-o-ol!" Some day I will have to them again, it's been a couple of years.
    I am thinking of doing your foil and permanent marker project. Do any other markers or something work? I don't have many.

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousFebruary 15, 2012 at 12:28 PM

      I tried my washable Crayola and the color isn't nearly as intense and they did rub off easily. I would try Donor's Choose for help purchasing some sets of permanent.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 11, 2012 at 4:44 PM

    I think the washable kind of marker would rub off. I bought the sets of permanent 2 years ago and they really last. I'll try my washable next week and let you know. Thanks for commenting! There is a good world book video, only about 4 minutes long that explains the reason the Egytians mummified their dead. I think you could find it on Youtube. I'm not saavy enough to figure out how to link videos. Enjoy

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  3. Mrs. PFebruary 14, 2012 at 9:14 AM

    Great ideas! Love the hot dog container sarcophagus! This year I made 3D pyramids and the kids loved those (with mummies inside--each pyramid told the individual student's life story). I've tried the aluminum foil technique (under "Medieval Metal" on my blog, but used yarn underneath and 1 layer of foil, that worked well but could be a nightmare if you were trying to copy a detailed drawing of a mummy head....but maybe you could adapt it and provide a basic outline of the head, have them outline the basic shape in yarn, cover with foil and then add details to the sections with permanent markers...hmmm...may need to try this! Thank you so much for sharing! Love your blog! Mrs. P

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousFebruary 15, 2012 at 12:33 PM

      Mrs. P thanks for the comments. I tried to find your 3D pyramids on your blog but couldn't find them. Did you photograph them? Love your ideas, wish I would have seen the positive negative valentines before this week.

      Delete

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