UKS2 Topic: Earliest Civilisations: Ancient Egyptians Block G: The Nile

Learn about the incredible, life-giving River Nile and its impact on civilisation in Egypt. Use the maps and models made in previous sessions to present your learning to visitors.

Block G: Ancient Egyptians
The Nile
[5 sessions] / Main outcome: History
Other outcomes: Geography, Science, Art, D&T and English
By the end of this block you will have achieved the following outcomes: / ·  Know and understand significant aspects of the history of the wider world: the nature of ancient civilisations; characteristic features of past non-European societies.
·  Gain historical perspective by placing their growing knowledge into different contexts, understanding the connections between cultural, economic, religious and social history; and between short- and long-term timescales.
·  Understand historical concepts such as continuity and change, and significance, and use them to make connections and to create their own structured accounts.
·  Explain that unsupported objects fall towards the Earth because of the force of gravity.
·  Recognise that some mechanisms allow a smaller force to have a greater effect.
·  Identify the effects of water resistance.
·  Understand and use mechanical systems in their products.
·  Generate, develop and model their ideas through discussion and annotated sketches.
·  Evaluate their products and consider how to improve them.
·  Locate the world’s countries.
·  Describe and understand key features of rivers.
·  Use maps to locate countries and describe features.
·  Improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including sculpture.
·  Note and develop initial ideas, drawing on reading and research where necessary.
·  Identify the audience for and purpose of the writing.
·  Use further organisational devices to structure text.
·  Gain and maintain the interest of the listener.
·  Give well-structured descriptions and explanations.
·  Participate in presentations.
Session 1: History and Geography
The river
Locate and describe the River Nile; list some of the animals and plants associated with the Nile; in a group create a large scale map of the River Nile in Egypt. / Children will
·  Explain that the Ancient Egyptians settled along the banks of the River Nile.
·  Describe two gods associated with the river and its animals.
·  Locate Egypt and the River Nile on maps.
·  Describe the climate of Egypt.
·  Work as a group to produce a large scale map of Ancient Egypt and the River Nile.
Session 2: History, Science and D&T
Farmers
Learn about the three seasons in the Ancient Egyptian farming year; understand the importance of the Nile in providing both water & fertile soil for the Ancient Egyptians; construct a working model of a shaduf to add to your Nile map. / Children will
·  Describe the three seasons in the Ancient Egyptian farming year.
·  Explain the importance of the Nile in providing both water & fertile soil for the Ancient Egyptians.
·  Explain how a shaduf works.
·  Construct a working model of a shaduf.
Session 3: History and Art
Crops and animals
Plan and make a model Ancient Egyptian farm to add to your Nile model. / Children will
·  Describe a typical Ancient Egyptian farm.
·  Explain that the Ancient Egyptians had a balanced and healthy diet.
·  Plan and make a model Ancient Egyptian farm.
Session 4: History, D&T and Science
Transport
Describe the boats that Ancient Egyptians used for transport along the Nile; make a model reed boat and test it for the Pharaoh! / Children will
·  Describe the boats that Ancient Egyptians used for transport along the Nile.
·  Make a model reed boat and test it for the Pharaoh!
Session 5: History and English
Importance of the Nile
Using the map and models you have made in the previous sessions, work together in a group to prepare a presentation about the importance of the River Nile to the Ancient Egyptians. / Children will
·  Explain the importance of the River Nile to the Ancient Egyptians.
·  Work together in a group to prepare a presentation about the River Nile.
·  Give the presentation to an invited audience.

Resources

Session 1

Provided: River Nile images; Hapi/Hapy images; Tawaret images; Outline map of Ancient Egypt and the River Nile.

You will need: Atlases; Globe; Large sheets of sugar paper; Pencils; Paints & brushes.

Session 2

Provided: The Farming Year; Farming scenes; The Farming Year diagram template; The Farming Year diagram; Nilometer; Shaduf images, old and new.

You will need: Dowelling or twigs; String; Quick drying clay or Plasticine; Glue gun; Thick card and scissors OR Lego® (or other construction kits).

Session 3

Provided: Farming list; Caring for animals images; Market scene image; Ancient Egyptian Farm image.

You will need: See Inside Ancient Egypt by Rob Lloyd Jones & David Hancock; Who Built the Pyramids? by Jane Chisholm, Struan Reid & Sue Stitt; Paper; Card; Plasticine or quick drying clay; Wool; Pebbles; Pipe cleaners; Twigs; Fabrics, etc.; Newspaper; Diluted PVA glue; Paints & brushes; Scissors; Glue; Masking tape (can be painted over).

Session 4

Provided: Ancient Egyptian boat images; Evidence of wooden boats; Trade images; Fishing and hunting images; How to make an Ancient Egyptian Papyrus Boat.

You will need: 16 bendy plastic straws for each pair plus spares; Masking tape or Sellotape; String; Scissors; Washing up bowl & water; Marbles or similar.

Session 5

Provided:

You will need: The map and models made in previous sessions during this block; An invited audience.

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