English - Ancient Egypt  
  Description:   Writing paragraphs
   
Introduction
Introduction to Lesson Plan: Date: March 9, 2005

Subject: English

Grade Level: Sixth

 

  
   
Standards
Standards:
 AL-ELA.3.27  Write meaningful simple sentences and short paragraphs.
 AL-ELA.9.25  Organize paragraphs in a variety of patterns. Example: chronological order, cause and effect, order of importance
 
   
Activities
Objectives: Students will understand the following:
 
1. People of today know a lot about ancient Egyptian funeral rites and customs.
2. Ancient Egyptian funeral rites and customs are both different from and similar to funeral rites and customs of other cultures.
 
Introductory Activities:  

Before closing out the discussion for the first day,  I will invite the students to share what they already know about the funeral rites of ancient Egypt.
 

After this I will tell the students to research to find out more about ancient Egyptian funeral rites and bring back their results to class.

 

  
Developmental Activities: At the start of the next day ,hold a class discussion so that students can hear about one another’s findings and can add findings to what they already know and what they have gathered.

Next, encourage a class discussion about contemporary funeral rites and customs in places where your students have lived. The goal is to make students aware that such observances are parts of all cultures even though the observances are marked by religious, ethnic, and national differences. Ask students to relate funeral rites and customs they have experienced or heard about. Then ask them to explain why they think a given rite or custom exists:

  • What is the meaning or symbolism that underlies it?
  • How is this particular rite or custom supposed to help the deceased?
  • How is it supposed to help the survivors?
  
Culminating Activities: Have each student write two paragraphs. One comparing and one contrasting ancient Egyptian funeral rites with those of contemporary groups. Some questions that could be answered in the paragraphs are:
  • What colors are associated with funerals in the culture you are studying? Why?
  • What practice, if any, do mourners in that culture follow regarding their hair? Why?
  • What role, if any, does noise (such as bells or music) play in the funeral? Why?
  • How is the body prepared and left? Why?
  • What time line does the culture dictate for the funeral and mourning? Why?
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    Alternate Activities: Pass out Vocabulary worksheet for student's to complete.

    Attachments: Vocabulary_Worksheet.doc    		  
    Modifications: Student's who have a broken arm, wrist or finger that will prevent them from being able to write may be allowed to either pair up with another student, type his or her paper, or say to me what they wish to have written.  
    Materials:  
    • Computer with Internet access
    • Books and articles about funeral rites and customs of ancient and contemporary cultures

     

    		  
       
    Self-Evaluation
    Self-Evaluation of lesson: Student's will turn in the papers to the teacher at the end of the day and they will be graded on correct spelling, grammar and punctuation along with correct facts and well stated sentences.  
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