Lesson Plan Outline

JMU Elementary Education Program

Emily Smith-George
Ms. McDonald/ John C. Myers Elementary

A. TITLE/TYPE OF LESSON: Contributions/ Exploring Ancient Egypt

B. CONTEXT OF LESSON: Last week we started studying Ancient Egypt. Before this we
studied Ancient China. Students have been exposed to terms like ancient and contribution
during the Ancient China unit. Today we will explore the contributions of Ancient Egypt.
We briefly talked about one contribution, the calendar, when we learned about the Nile River
last week. This lesson will take this knowledge a step further. We will discuss the calendar,
clock, and hieroglyphics. Students practiced writing in the characters and symbols of
Ancient China and will know use a similar technique to write in hieroglyphics.

C. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Understand (Concepts/Skills) Know/Do (learning objectives)
The students will understand
the term contribution.

The students will be able to define the word contribution.
The students will understand
that the Ancient Egyptians
were responsible for the
calendar, clock, and
hieroglyphics.
The students will be able to name the three main
contributions of Ancient Egypt.

D. ASSESSING LEARNING
Know/Do (Learning
objectives)
Assessment plan
The students will be able to
define the word contribution.
Students will verbally express their definition of the word
contribution.
The students will be able to
name the three main
contributions of Ancient
Egypt.
Students will add the three contributions to their chart in
their packets. Students will practice writing in
hieroglyphics. Students will also discuss verbally the
importance of the clock and calendar.


E. RELATED VIRGINIA STANDARDS OF LEARNING
2.1 The student will explain how the contributions of ancient China and Egypt have influenced the
present world in terms of architecture, inventions, the calendar, and written language.

F. MATERIALS NEEDED
PowerPoint
Water clock
Packets
Writing utensils
Papyrus

G. PROCEDURE
Preparation:
Create water clock. Create PowerPoint.
Engage:
Imagine how different your life would be without a clock or calendar. How would you know
when your birthday, thanksgiving or summer was? How would you know when to switch
classes or wake up?

Implementation:
1. Review the word contribution: the act of giving or doing something. Explain that the ancient
Egyptians made many valuable contributions to the lives of people today.
2. Show PowerPoint on calendar and clock. Read about contributions in our Ancient Egypt
packet. While I am reading students may draw a picture of a calendar and clock to help them
remember.
3. Bring in and show an example of a water clock. We will use the clock together as a class.
4. Egyptians also had their own writing. It was called hieroglyphics. Talk about the paper they
used and the process of making papyrus. Show papyrus paper.
5. Have students create their own glyph in their packets while reading the directions.
6. Students will work independently to write their name in hieroglyphics on their cartouches.
7. If students finish early they will work to crack the code in their packets.
8. Record contributions on chart in front of packet.

H. DIFFERENTIATION
This lesson has aspects meant for visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. Students are not
asked to listen or write the entire time. Rather, students are encouraged to do their best
drawing and listening. Much of the differentiation of this lesson comes in the assessing. I
expect all students to try their very best. When assessing I look at each students work in
regards to their own abilities and work habits.
I. WHAT COULD GO WRONG AND WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT?
1. Every aspect of the procedure for this lesson will probably not be accomplished. I would
rather have too many activities than not enough. If I find that we are running out of time I
will stop the glyph early or encourage students to complete their hieroglyphic name at home.
2. Students may be hesitant to write in hieroglyphics. If this is the case I will encourage them
to do their very best and not be worried about their artistic skills (I am not at all an artist!)
3. The water clock may not work. If this is the case we will simply discuss why clocks today
are made so differently (they are much more reliable!)