Peering at Pyramids
Grade Levels: 6 - 8
Overview
Students use a Web resource to extend their knowledge of ancient Egypt by exploring the three pyramids on the Giza plateau.
Objective
- Students will compare and contrast similar things
- Students will synthesize information, and better understand spatial order.
Materials
- Peering at Pyramids Worksheet worksheet
Procedure
- Tell students that they are going to use the World Wide Web
to continue their exploration of ancient Egypt. Discuss what they have
learned about pyramids. Explain that they are going to view some of
these pyramids as they appear today.
- Log on to the NOVA
Online Adventure: Pyramids website and click on "History of Giza." Encourage
students to read the background information about the Giza plateau. When they
are finished, return to the first screen.,
- Click on "Khufu." Once on that site, click on "Cross Section"
to view a cross section of the pyramid. At the bottom of the screen,
click on "The Inside Story" for details of Khufu's pyramid.
- Now click on "ENTER HERE" for either a QuickTime or a still
photographic tour of Khufu's pyramid. This tour enables students to
get a sense of being in the inner chambers.
- Return to the Pyramids
page and click on "Khafre." Click first on "Cross Section" and
then on "The Inside Story" for details on Kufu's pyramid.
- Return to the Pyramids
page and click in turn on "Menkaure," Cross Section," and "The
Inside Story" for information about the pyramid Menkaure.
- Pass out the Peering at Pyramids worksheet. Ask students to fill in the answer on the chart, using the Website. Once they have filled in the chart, they should design their own pyramid, drawing both an exterior view and a cross section.
- Encourage students to share their pyramid designs and descriptions.
Interested students may wish to work together to make a model of one
or more of the designs.
Extension
Students might enjoy reading an interview with the archeologist Mark Lehner.
For additional background about the lives of the pyramid workers, return to the Pyramids site and click on "Who Built the Pyramids?"
Provided by Scott Foresman, an imprint of Pearson, the world's leading elementary educational publisher. Its line of educational resources supports teachers and helps schools and districts meet demands for adequate yearly progress and reporting.
