Assessment
Students will create a graphic organizer using Inspiration (software) to highlight the characteristics and achievements of the Ancient Egyptians. They will create a brochure endorsing the civilization they have chosen and specify how that civilization has impacted contemporary culture. The students will be evaluated on both the research / graphic organizer and the brochure using one 20 point rubric.
See attached rubric and student samples.
Learning Context/ Introduction
For this learning experience students will be required to work independently to produce valid research, create a graphic organizer using Inspiration (software), and generate a brochure using Microsoft Publisher.
The students will demonstrate an understanding of The Ancient Egyptian Civilization and how it relates to modern times. The Ancient Egyptian Civilization accomplished many achievements in their time. Some of the achievements include advancements in architecture, writing, farming, art, and astronomy. The class will be responsible for creating a fictitious award honoring the civilization for a specific achievement they have accomplished and the contributions they have made to modern society. The students will choose an achievement accomplished by the Ancient Egyptians, explain how it was important, and describe how it was a contributor to modern times. The students that best support their claim and promote their achievement and their contributions will win the award. They will have already completed a unit of study on each one of the mentioned achievements. They will use background knowledge and current research to decide which achievement has had the most profound effects on modern day cultures.
Duration
- 1 to 2 periods of research
(45 minutes for each period)
- 1 period to create article summary
(45 minutes)
- 1 period to create graphic organizer
(45 minutes)
- 1 period to create brochure (45 minutes)
Essential Question
Which Ancient Egyptian achievement had the most profound effects in its own culture and modern society?
Instructional/Environment Modifications
This project will be completed in the classroom and computer lab. It will require the use of multiple computers to facilitate the work of approximately 25 students. The students will be divided individually accountable. Access to the internet will be a necessity for this project.
Procedure
Students have already completed a unit of study on the Ancient Egyptians using "World Explorer: The Ancient World" by Prentice Hall (2003).
Day 1:
Students will brainstorm to review the achievements and contributions of the Ancient Egyptians. Each of the students will choose one specific achievement that they feel was the most significant. Then, the students will conduct valid research to further their understanding and to expand upon the achievements and contributions. Students will use the following online data bases to conduct their research: Proquest, Gale Virtual Reference Library, and MasterFILE Select (EBCSO). They will also be given a list of valid websites to get additional information.
Day 2:
The students will finish completing research on their Ancient Egyptian achievement. Students participate in a teacher lead discussion highlighting their findings. They will specifically address the major findings and the conclusions made by their research.
Day 3:
The students will create a graphic organizer using Inspiration. The main category will be the achievement they selected and the information they researched. The sub-categories will consist of the achievements they have made. It will be broken down further when they insert the contributions to modern society.
Day 4:
Students will use Microsoft Publisher to create a brochure promoting their Ancient Egyptian achievement. The students will use persuasive techniques highlighting the major achievements and contributions made by their civilization. It must be attention grabbing and organized as the students are attempting to persuade the class that their chosen achievement is deserving of the award.
Day 5:
Students will present research summaries, graphic organizers, and brochures. After all groups have presented, the class will vote which Ancient Egyptian Achievement should be given the award based how well their contributions have been presented.
Reflections and Feedback
I felt that this lesson went very well. The students were engaged and worked excitedly to complete their projects. Trial and error seemed to help the students work through Inspiration. This increased the quality of the work and it helped to make them more creative. The third step of lesson, creating a flyer or brochure in Publisher, seemed to lack thoroughness. Some of the students did not complete the requirements of the content of the flyers/brochures. Although the flyer/brochure design was done well, some of the content was missing. There are some things I would have done differently. I would have had the students record their research and specify where it came from. I would have also had them write a summary based on the research they had done. Overall, I thought the lesson went well. I would teach it again.
Student Work
Below are examples of student work
Related Resource
- "World Explorer: The Ancient World," Prentice Hall (2003)
- Proquest
- Gale Virtual Reference Library
- MasterFILE Select (EBCSO)
- Inspiration
- Microsoft Publisher
- Microsoft Word
Research Guide
