Materials:
Multimedia: Videos, CD Rom, Internet all dealing with Pyramids
Books on Pyramids
Information on Pharoahs
information on Mummies
Base for pyramid to be built on (strong cardboard or wood)
Sand glue (mix sand and glue to make adhesive sand)
Procedure
On the first day of the project, the children will do research to find information about pyramids through the school library, the books available in the room, the computer, and through other sources of information. A K-W-L chart can be begun to help children learn facts about pyramids.
The next day, artifacts foun din pyramids will be discussed. Books will be presented to help the children learn about the items found in the pyramids, and what they symbolize for the person buried in the pyramid. Children will write stories about what they would like to take with them if they were moving to a new place. At this point death can be discussed in the way in which Egyptians see death: a moving onto a better life than this one. The subject of death may or may not be discussed, depending on how you feel your class can deal with it. Tally the items that children want to take with them, so as to tie in math.
The next day, plans for making pyramids will be discussed. The children will be informed that they will be creating their own pyramid out of clay that they will make with the help of their teacher. The chidlren will do research on pyramids to find out the answers to questions proposed by the teacher such as: "How long does it take to build a pyramid?" "How were they made?" "Who made the pyramids?" The following sheets can be printed out and displayed for help in learning how a pyramid is constructed:
Then, after finding out these facts, the class will discuss with the teacher how they would like to make their pyramids, and how long they think it will take to make them. The teacher will help the children come up with their own ordered directions for making pyramids (teacher will ask "if you were going to teach someone how to make a pyramid, what would you tell them?"). Thse directions will be recorded on Oak Tag Poster Board, and will be put up in front of the classroom for all the students to see.
Next day: The children will begin with creating their pyramids right away. The first thing to be done is, the teahcer will hand out directions for making the saw dust clay or Sand Modeling to each child. Each child will be given enough of the ingredients to create a 1 foot by 1 foot pyramid. After the clay is made, the teacher will remind the children of their directions that they created the day before, and will help children follow these directions to make their pyramids. When each pyramid is done, they will be placed under heat lamps (if available) to dry overnight, or can just be left out to dry over night (this may take longer to dry than the heat lamps).
Next day: The pyramids will be painted with the sand/glue mix, and will then be sprayed with acrylic (the teacher will use the acrylic to avoid problems).
The pyramids can be displayed throughout the school, or a little show can be put on by the children to show their pyramids.