In this unit we studied Ancient Egypt so that we would better understand the history of the Israelites during the time of Joseph and Moses.  We studied Joseph, Moses, Pharaohs, pyramids, mummies, the Nile River, ancient Egyptian culture, the desert and archaeology.

BOOKS

  • Bible: Genesis 37, 39-50 (Joseph)
  • Bible: Exodus 1-15 (Moses)
  • Abeka 5th Grade World History or other history textbook - This is great for a Christian overview of Ancient Egypt.
  • The Cat of Bubastes - G. A. Henty (We used this for a family read aloud)
  • Pyramids, 50 Hands on Activities - Avery Hart
  • The Golden Goblet - Eloise Jarvis McGraw
  • The Royal Diaries of Cleopatra VII - Kristiana Gregory
  • Ancient Egypt (Eyewitness) - George Hart
  • Egypt: The Culture - Arlene Moscovitch
  • See Inside an Egyptian Town - R. J. Unstead
  • Pyramid - David MacCaulay
  • Pyramid (Eyewitness) - James Putnam
  • The Great Pyramid - Elizabeth Mann
  • Inside Story, An Egyptian Pyramid - Jacqueline Morley
  • Time Traveler Book of Pharaohs and Pyramids - Tony Allan
  • Tutankhamun, The Life and Death of a Pharaoh - David Murdoch
  • Make it Work - Andrew Haslam
  • Cat Mummies - Trumble
  • Mummies Made in Egypt - Aliki
  • Mummies and Their Mysteries - Charlotte Wilcox
  • Mummy (Eyewitness)- James Putnam
  • Riddle of the Rosetta Stone - James Giblin
  • Seeker of Knowledge - James Rumford
  • Desert Life - Barbara Taylor
  • A Closer Look at Deserts - Valerie Pitt
  • Desert Animals - Michael Chinery
  • Animals of the Desert - Stephen Savage
  • Draw Desert Animals - D. C. Dubosque
  • The Nile - Aaron W.  Percefull
  • The Nile - Michael Pollard
  • The Red Sea - Kenneth Mallory
  • Archaeology - Jean Cooke
  • Archaeology - Jane McIntosh
  • Art & Archaeology - Shirley Glubok

These books are more for reference and photos:

  • Monuments of Egypt - Eliot Porter
  • Egypt - Splendors of an Ancient Civilization - Albert Siliotti
  • Deserts - Susan Arritt

FIELD TRIPS

Simulated Archaeological Dig - Break up inexpensive clay pots.  Bury the pieces, some coins, costume jewelry, and old tools in a sand box or the yard.  Have the children build a sifter by building a 1' wooden frame and putting mesh screen over it with at least 1/4" holes in the screen or use a colander.  Have the children dig and sift for items.  Have them make a list of the items, telling their weight, description, and where found.  Have them attempt to glue the broken pottery back together.

Check your local museums for exhibits on Ancient Egypt.

PROJECTS

Chicken Mummies or a more complicated simulated Pharaoh mummy

Using Draw Desert Animals by D. C. Dubosque have each child sketch a desert animal that would be found in Egypt.

Make an Egyptian Dictionary

Pyramids, 50 Hands on Activities by Avery Hart is full of great ideas.  We played Senet and leap frog, made secret hyroglyphic messages, built a pyramid from legos, and made "Egpyt" down on the beach (complete with Nile River, pyramids and reed boats).  Warning: the narration of this book is written directly to the child and is new age and encourages the child to become one with nature.  I used the projects but skipped the narration.