A Journey to King Solomon’s Temple
BACKGROUND: You are visiting ancient Israel around 950 B.C., and you meet a group of rural farmers who tell you they are going to King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem; they invite you to join them. Write a letter to your family back home in which you describe the people you’ve met and what their lives are like, your journey to the Temple with them, and your observations and reactions to King Solomon’s Temple.
TASK:
1. Research daily life in ancient Israel by using Ch. 10 in your textbook and the links provided at the end of this document.
2. Respond to the questions on the worksheet provided by the teacher as you research. Use facts and examples. Be as detailed as possible. This will help you with the letter in number 3.
3. Write your letter. This should be typed, using size 12, Times New Roman, black font. Remember, the letter is to your family, so it does not need to be as formal as one to a mentor or teacher. Keep in mind you are in ancient times (don’t mention technology). Read the format section below for more requirements.
FORMAT:
1. Follow a friendly letter format. Use past tense throughout the letter.
2. Open the letter with a fitting salutation (for example: Dear Mom and Dad,).
3. Start the body of your letter. You will have four paragraphs.
4. Body Paragraph 1 includes:
a. Description of where you were and who you met
5. Body Paragraph 2 includes:
a. Description of daily life for the farmers you were traveling with
b. How Israelite men prepare for the pilgrimage to King Solomon’s temple
6. Body Paragraph 3 includes:
a. Information about and description of the temple
b. Your observations and reactions when you arrived at the temple
7. Paragraph 4: Concluding thoughts you have about your journey and a few personal comments to family members.
8. Close your letter (for example: Love, and then sign your name).
9. Include a creative title even though this is a letter and put your heading in the upper right corner even though you are signing your name at the bottom.
LINKS:
Please try these links before you use Google:
Check out the “Resources” tab at http://www.classzone.com/webquest/u5/intro.cfm
General info: http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/activity/ancient_hebrews/pages/landof.htm
Daily Life: http://www.womenintheancientworld.com/daily_life_in_israel_at_the_time_of_christ.htm
Ancient Israel (Bible History): http://www.bible-history.com (Click “Ancient Israel” on left side)
Daily Life (Catholic website): http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=1356&CFID=7581351&CFTOKEN=65296479
Agriculture: http://www.bible.gen.nz/amos/culture/agriculture.htm
Houses of Ancient Israel: http://isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k66717&tabgroupid=icb.tabgroup103110
Canaan & Ancient Israel: http://www.penn.museum/sites/Canaan/index.html
King Solomon’s Temple: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/The_Temple.html
Sacred Sites: http://www.sacredsites.com/middle_east/israel/jerusalem.html
A Journey to King Solomon’s Temple
Answer all of the questions before you write your letter.
1. Describe five activities of daily life, such as activities related to food, clothing, farming, domestic animals, and crafts produced for sale or daily use.
2. Describe the climate and landscape, and name some wild animals that lived in the region of ancient times.
3. What would a farmer have to do to prepare for a trip to Jerusalem?
4. Describe King Solomon’s Temple in detail. What did it look like, and how big was it? What other ancient buildings could you compare it as a reference for your family?
5. What are some of the important things King Solomon did during his reign?
6. How often did people go to King Solomon’s Temple, and why did they travel long distances to visit it?