Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan – Grade 6 Ancient Egypt – Who Killed King Tut?

Text: Who Killed King Tut?, Jimmy Dunn, Government of Egypt, http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/killtut.htm

Indicator(s):

SS.HAW.b Identify and distinguish between cause and effect, sequence, and correlation as tools for examining historic events

SS.HAW.c Make decisions and analyze decisions of individuals, groups, and institutions in other times and places, and evaluate the

consequences

SS.HAW.30.0 Describe the political, social systems, and economic systems of Egypt, Nubia/Kush

Objective(s): Students will analyze historical and modern evidence to determine the cause of the death of King Tutankhamun.

Time Required: 45 minutes
Materials:
For the teacher: Socratic Seminar Record Sheet
For each student:
Copy of selected text(s)
Rules for a Good Fishbowl Discussion
Fishbowl Discussion: Overview
For each participant: Teacher’s Evaluation of Participant’s Performance
For each coach: Coach’s Evaluation of Participant’s Performance / Pre-Seminar Activities:
Provide students with some background knowledge of Ancient Egypt and Tutankhamun.
Provide selected text(s) for students to read prior to Socratic seminar.
Participants and coaches will meet for a pre-conference to discuss the participant’s goals for the discussion. / Essential or
Opening Question:
How did King Tut die?
Additional Questions:
·  How old was King Tut when he died?
·  What information did you find concerning King Tut’s death?
·  Who (if anyone) does the author suggest may have killed King Tut?
·  Who gains from King Tut’s death?
·  Who succeeded King Tut to the throne?
·  What other "facts" are included about King Tut’s death? / Post Seminar Activities:
The teacher will thank students for their participation and summarize the main ideas and concepts examined during the discussion.
Coaches provide feedback to the participants during a post-conference to acknowledge strengths and identify weaknesses. The teacher will thank students for their participation and summarize the main ideas and concepts examined during the discussion. / Assessment Options:
The teacher will evaluate participants and coaches using rubric provided.
If time permits, students may write a paragraph or complete an exit ticket to explain what they learned from the seminar.

Teacher Resources: The following background information about the death of King Tut may be shared with students prior to the seminar:

Who Killed King Tut?, Discovery Channel, (http://dsc.discovery.com/anthology/unsolvedhistory/kingtut/interactive/interactive.html)