Grade 5: Egyptian Unit Crosses Departments
Fifth graders studying ancient Egyptian burial traditions and ceremonies in history were able to experiment with these concepts in science class as teachers Mitch Masters and Andy Dodge teamed up to enrich the lesson. After researching the history and significance of the Egyptian custom of body preservation, they took on a mummy lab project that simulates the embalming process.
Fifth graders studying ancient Egyptian burial traditions and ceremonies in history were able to experiment with these concepts in science class as teachers Mitch Masters and Andy Dodge teamed up to enrich the lesson.
First, students researched the history and significance of the Egyptian custom of body preservation. “It was interesting that they only mummified the most important people," says Sawyer Vinton. "I thought that everyone would be buried in fancy sarcophagi."
Next, they prepared for science lab by putting creative skills to work. They designed their own burial boxes to hold "embalmed bodies" -- or rather hotdogs that they would use to simulate the embalming process. "The shapes, sizes and colors of the tombs were really cool because everyone was into it and wanted to bury their hotdog in the best tomb possible," Sawyer adds.
Using four brands of hotdogs and desiccants (drying agents) like baking soda, iodized salt, kosher salt and non-iodized salt, students observed, measured and graphed the embalming effects on their hotdogs. Mr. Dodge explains that this lab is more advanced because students used multiple variables to determine which combination provides the most dramatic outcome. “They had to be very precise because the changes between certain variables was relatively small," he adds.
Pascale Drake noted right away that “if you didn’t put the hotdog in salt, it was disgusting and rotten. Even if you did put it in the salt, it was still wrinkly and brown and gross, but at least it wasn’t slimy and rotten.”
Back
First, students researched the history and significance of the Egyptian custom of body preservation. “It was interesting that they only mummified the most important people," says Sawyer Vinton. "I thought that everyone would be buried in fancy sarcophagi."
Next, they prepared for science lab by putting creative skills to work. They designed their own burial boxes to hold "embalmed bodies" -- or rather hotdogs that they would use to simulate the embalming process. "The shapes, sizes and colors of the tombs were really cool because everyone was into it and wanted to bury their hotdog in the best tomb possible," Sawyer adds.
Using four brands of hotdogs and desiccants (drying agents) like baking soda, iodized salt, kosher salt and non-iodized salt, students observed, measured and graphed the embalming effects on their hotdogs. Mr. Dodge explains that this lab is more advanced because students used multiple variables to determine which combination provides the most dramatic outcome. “They had to be very precise because the changes between certain variables was relatively small," he adds.
Pascale Drake noted right away that “if you didn’t put the hotdog in salt, it was disgusting and rotten. Even if you did put it in the salt, it was still wrinkly and brown and gross, but at least it wasn’t slimy and rotten.”
Ted Alfond noticed that “different desiccants and different hotdogs made for really different outcomes.” He was most surprised by “how quickly ice melt made the Bar-S hotdogs shrink.”
Mr. Masters shares, “This project is a great way to show kids the connection between disciplines and to explore a subject from multiple perspectives. Learning about ancient Egypt never gets old and kids are really drawn to the grandness of the Egyptian lifestyle and belief system.”
Mr. Masters shares, “This project is a great way to show kids the connection between disciplines and to explore a subject from multiple perspectives. Learning about ancient Egypt never gets old and kids are really drawn to the grandness of the Egyptian lifestyle and belief system.”
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
