The

Classroom
Mysteries
Connections of
Teacher ANcient
Resources Egypt
In the Classroom
Teachers & Students by
Cliff Todd
Grades K - 5
The Mysteries of Ancient Egypt,
and the Classroom Connections
Study Guide are produced in sup-
port of the teaching of VA SOLs in
English and History: K.1, K.3, K.4,
K.6 – K.8, 1.1, 1.4, 1.6, 1.7, 1.10,
2.1, 2.3 – 2.5, 2.7 – 2.9, 3.5, 3.7,
3.8, 3.10

At the Library
Tales of Ancient Egypt,
by Roger Lancelyn
Green, 1996.
The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt,
by Elizabeth Payne, 1981.
Science in Ancient Egypt (Sci-
ence of the Past) by Geraldine
Woods,1998.
Mummies in the Morning (Magic
Tree House #3) by Mary Pope Inside an old trunk in Grandma’s attic, Jesse and Bobby find an
Osborne, 1993. ancient Egyptian amulet. A famed Egyptologist, Grandma had
dozens of journals about Egypt tucked away, too. But what is the
meaning of the hieroglyphs inscribed on the amulet, or the scrib-
bled notes found in those journals? Before they know it, the chil-
On the Web dren are magically transported back to ancient Egypt in 620 BC
where they meet Sema-tawy-tefnakht, a scribe to King Psamtik
National Geographic Magazine Interac-
tive Edition: At the Tomb of Tutankhamen I. With his guidance, our two heroes unravel their mystery. Along
www.nationalgeographic.com/egypt/ the way they meet King Psamtik I and his daughter the Princess
Nitocris. Jesse and Bobby travel with the Princess and the scribe
ViMFA: Ancient Worlds Art on their fateful journey up the Nile to Thebes. Eventually, Sema-
www.vmfa.museum/PrevisitAncientWorlds tawy-tefnakht and his Egyptian friends help Jesse and Bobby find
their way home.
 Building the
Pyramids
How were the pyramids built? No one knows for sure. Egyptologists and historians have long de-
bated how they were built, and who built them. During a time in history when there was no complex
machinery, how could these mammoth structures have been built? Estimates of the human resourc-
es that would have been needed range from 20,000 workers to 100,000 workers. Who were these
workers, and what tools did they use to build the pyramids at Giza? Review the simple machines
below and predict how the workers might have moved, shaped, or lifted the giant stones that make
up the pyramids.
Key Vocabulary
human resources:
people at work
In an economy, producers
use natural resources (wa-
ter, soil, wood, and coal),
human resources (people
at work), and capital re-
sources (machines, tools,
and buildings) to produce
goods and services for
consumers.

Simple Machines: Draw a line from each simple machine to its name.

wedge wheel & axle inclined plane

lever screw pulley

Prediction:_____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________


Set the Stage for Learning™ Theatre IV, Richmond, VA
 Using Maps
The Nile is one of the world’s great rivers. It was and is the lifeline of the Egyptians:

“The Nile gives us our water for cooking, and drinking, and for farming.
Without it we would… well, lets not even think about that.” - Sema
Use Social Studies’ resources and your knowledge of Egypt and communities to answer the following:
Why do you think many cities lie alongside rivers?
What ancient cities and landmarks lie alongside the Nile River?
Put the following in order from north to south: Thebes, Giza, Alexandria, and Valley of the Kings.
Define delta, then circle the Nile River delta in the map below.

Geography
Terms
map: a drawing or picture
showing selected features of an
area, usually drawn to scale
globe: a round model of the
earth
compass rose: a figure dis-
playing the cardinal directions,
north, south, east and west on a
map
key: also called a ‘legend,’ a map
key identifies the symbols used on
a map
cartography: the making of
maps
latitude / longitude: dis-
tance measured in degrees north
or south of the Equator; distance
measured in degrees east or
west of the Prime Meridian

Bonus: Define irrigate. Then,

research how ancient
Egyptian farmers used the
Nile River to irrigate their
fields.

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 Deciphering
Hieroglyphics
The ancient Egyptians used a form of writing called hieroglyphics. Based on picture-like symbols,
this form of writing developed over a period of 3,000 years. Not every sign or character conveyed a
complete thought. While some stood for ideas, others are signs, and others simply syllables.Hiero-
glyphs were used for formal inscriptions on tomb and temple walls. Look at the hieroglyphic writing
chart and write your name in hieroglyphs.
Symbol: A picture or thing that stands for something else

Ancient Egyptian Symbol: Extend It:

Eye of Horus (udjat, wadjet) Write a short message
As an amulet, it was often fashioned out of blue or to a classmate.
green faience or from semi-precious stones. Exchange messages,
Meaning: Also known as the Eye of Horus or the udjat, this eye is and decipher.
a symbol of the god Horus as both the son of Osiris and Isis and
as the sun-god.


Set the Stage for Learning™ Theatre IV, Richmond, VA
 Now & Then
This play was set in ancient Egypt. Everyday life has changed dramatically since then. Classify the
objects below in the “T” chart according to whether they’d be found at the time the play was set, or
in today’s world.

Now Then

Challenge Extend It!

Read about life during ancient If you could travel back to
Egypt. In what ways was it ancient Egypt, what one item
different than today’s world? from today’s world would
Write a paragraph describing you take to give to the scribe
all the ways your life would be Sema-tawy-tefnakht? Justify
different if you had lived back your choice.
then.


Set the Stage for Learning™ Theatre IV, Richmond, VA
 The
Theatre
114 West Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23220 Team
1.800.235.8687
It takes a team to put on a play! Let’s find out
www.TheatreIV.org who’s who on the theatre team. The actors are
the people you see whenever you go to a play,
Theatre IV Presents... but there are a lot of people on the Theatre
Team you never get to see. This whole team
The works hard to get a show ready for you: You Have an
Mysteries of Important
Part to Play
Ancient Egypt Actors are the people who perform the play
on stage. You see them every time you attend It wouldn’t be a play without you! Your
by Cliff Todd part is to pretend the play is real. Part
a play.
of this includes accepting certain the-
Directors tell the actors where to move on atre ways, or conventions:
the stage and oversees the work of everyone 1. Actors tell the story with words (dia-
involved in the play. logue), actions (blocking), and songs.
2. Actors may sing songs that tell about
Theatre IV... the story or their feelings.
Bruce C. Miller, The Stage Manager is responsible for 3. Actors may speak to the audience.
calling lighting and sound cues and for super-
Artistic Director 4. An actor may play several different
vising the technical crew. characters (“doubling”) by changing
their voice, costume or posture.
Phil Whiteway, The Playwright writes the play. What they 5. Places are suggested by panels on
Managing Director write tells the actors what to say on stage. the set, and by props.

How to Play Your Part

Classroom Connections The Prop Master is in charge of the ob- A play is different from television or a
Study Guide written by jects used by the actors on stage.
Heather Widener, MAT movie. The actors are right in front of
Widener Consulting LLC you and can see your reactions, feel
The Costume Designer plans the your attention, and hear your laughter
clothing the actors wear, called costumes. and applause. Watch and listen care-
Costumes give clues about when and where fully to understand the story. The story
This Classroom Connec- a story takes place, and about the characters is told by the actors and comes to life
tions Study Guide and the who wear them. through your imagination.
text contained herein are
the property of Theatre IV.
Photocopying of the study
The Set Designers plan the scenery for
the play. Remember
guide is permitted. Any Wa t c h w i t h y o u r e y e s
other use of the contents Listen with your ears
must be accompanied by
Keep your mouth quiet
the phrase, “Text used with
permission from Theatre IV So everyone can hear
- Richmond, VA.” Clap with your hands
© Theatre IV, 2008. Our actors like to hear from their audience! And laugh out loud
Write us a letter or draw us a picture and Yo u ’ r e a m e m b e r o f t h e
send it to the address at the top of this audience
page. A jolly good crowd!


Set the Stage for Learning™ Theatre IV, Richmond, VA