UKS2 Topic: Earliest Civilisations: Ancient Egyptians Block A: Introduction to Ancient Egypt

Build your knowledge of the period when the Ancient Egyptians were powerful in the world. Compare the Ancient Egyptian civilisation with the society, climate and terrain of Britain at the time. Discover how the Ancient Egyptian civilisation came to an end and also learn about the evidence of Ancient Egypt that exists in modern Egypt today.

Block A: Ancient Egyptians
Introduction / Main outcome: History
Other outcomes: Geography 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 short- and long-term timescales.
·  Understand the abstract term ‘civilisation’.
·  Locate the world’s countries, using maps and focussing on their environmental regions and key physical characteristics.
·  Use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe features.
·  Describe and understand key aspects of physical and human geography.
·  Identify the audience for and purpose of the writing, selecting the appropriate form.
·  Use further presentational devices to structure text. Draw on reading and research where necessary.
·  Retrieve, record and present information from non-fiction.
·  Provide reasoned justifications for their views.
·  Participate in discussions and debates.
·  Consider and evaluate different viewpoints, attending to and building on the contributions of others.
·  Speak audibly and fluently.
Session 1: History and English
Back in time
Place the Ancient Egyptian civilisation on a world history timeline; describe what society was like in Britain, the terrain and climate of Britain at the start of the Ancient Egyptian civilisation. / Children will:
·  Place the Ancient Egyptian civilisation on a world history timeline.
·  Describe what society was like in Britain at the start of the Ancient Egyptian civilisation.
·  Describe the terrain and climate of Britain at the start of the Ancient Egyptian civilisation.
·  Add significant dates & events to a world history timeline.
Session 2: History and Geography
Snapshot
Explain where Ancient Egypt was located and label a map; describe Ancient Egypt as being part of the Fertile Crescent (Cradle of Civilisation); describe the terrain and climate of Egypt. / Children will :
·  Explain where Ancient Egypt was located.
·  Label a map of Ancient Egypt and its surroundings.
·  Describe Ancient Egypt as being part of the Fertile Crescent (Cradle of Civilisation).
·  Describe what society was like at the start of the Ancient Egyptian civilisation.
·  Describe the terrain and climate of Egypt.
Session 3: History, Geography and English (to be taught after other blocks with session 4)
End of Ancient Egyptian civilisation
Describe the end of the Ancient Egyptian civilisation; mark on a map of the region where the various invaders came from; research facts and write a biography of Alexander the Great or Cleopatra, last Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. / Children will:
·  Describe the end of the Ancient Egyptian civilisation.
·  Mark on a map of the region where the various invaders came from.
·  Research facts and write a biography of Alexander the Great or Cleopatra, last Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt.
Session 4: History and English (to be taught after other blocks with session 3)
Return to the present
Understand that evidence of Ancient Egypt can still be seen in Egypt today. You will appreciate that the effect of the River Nile has been changed by the construction of the Aswan High Dam and contribute to a debate about the construction of the Aswan High Dam. / Children will:
·  Understand that evidence of Ancient Egypt can still be seen in Egypt today.
·  Appreciate that the effect of the River Nile has been changed by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.
·  Contribute to a debate about the construction of the Aswan High Dam.
·  Explain that the number of tourists visiting some ancient sites is causing problems.

Resources

Session 1

Provided: World map; Earliest civs timeline; Ancient Egyptians timeline; Timeline cards; Blank timeline cards; Ancient civs maps; Picture of Standing Stones of Stenness.

You will need: String and pegs for washing line timeline; Thin card; Laminator; Globe; Information books about the Neolithic era in Britain.

Session 2

Provided: Various maps of Ancient Egypt.

You will need: Access to internet; Globe; World map.

Session 3

Provided: Maps of Alexander the Great’s empire, and the Roman empire; Blank Mediterranean map.

You will need: Access to internet; Information books about Alexander the Great & Cleopatra.

Session 4

Provided: Aswan Dam fact file; Aswan Dam for and against.

You will need:

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