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A Walk Through Egypt! Export Lesson as PDF | Save As Favorite
A Walk Through Egypt! Grade: Grade 4
Subject: English Language Arts
Created by: Karyne Jean-bart
Lesson Length: 3 hours
Keywords/Tags: Poverty,Residents,Hieroglyphics,The Mediterranean
Lesson Description: students will read about the rich history of Egypt, as well as key vocabulary words that can be applied to numerous subjects. By the end of this lessons is students will learn to respond to open ended discussions, use critical thinking, and research skills.
Common Core Standards Covered with This Lesson
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.10: By the end of year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, in the grades 4–5 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.3: Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2d: Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.7: Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
 
     
     
 
Lesson Content: Reading
Instructions: Please read the following reading passage as many times as needed (aloud and silent) before starting to go through other lesson pages. Understanding the content of this passage is very important since the lesson activities will be all about this content. Feel free to print the passage if needed.

Egypt

Egypt is a country in Africa. It is at the north part of the continent. The north side of Egypt borders the Mediterranean. East of it is the Red Sea, Sudan to the south and Libya to the west. Other countries are on its other sides. It is in a very special location. It is a place that is close to Asia. 

The capital of Egypt is Cairo. That is a really great city. It has been an important city for a long time. It is the largest city in Africa. If you visit that city, you will find a very modern place. You will see many cars. You will see many businesses, schools, and homes. 

About 82 million people live in Egypt. They have a rich history. Long ago, Egyptians made this the greatest place in the world. They built pyramids. These very smart people invented ways to farm. 

Long ago, Egyptians were wonderful leaders. They built great buildings. They set up schools. They invented a special way of writing. That was called hieroglyphics. They looked like pictures instead of alphabet letters. 

You will still see hieroglyphics in Egypt today. But they are not used to read and write. They are a part of history. Egypt has a long history. It has been a leader for a long time. If you read Egypt’s history, you will know how great this country has been. 

Today most Egyptians live near the banks of the Nile River. This is where the only good land to farm is. It’s a great place to live. There are other parts that are difficult to live—they are deserts. So not many people live there. 

About half of Egypt's residents live in cities. Those big cities are in the area of the Nile River. If you go to Cairo, the biggest city, you will find millions of people. 

Egypt has had some problems. There have been wars. There have been problems of poverty. Poor people in the cities need jobs. They need homes. Egypt is working to solve those problems. 

Egypt is making its schools better. The school leaders are making plans to help students learn more. They are planning ways to help parents help their children learn more, too. 

Egypt is a great country. It has a wonderful history. It will have a great future because people are working hard. They are working together to get more jobs and homes. 
 
     
     
 
Task 1: Discussion Activity (30 points)
Instructions: This discussion forum will have questions for students to respond. Read the posted questions, and respond to each. Students are responsible for posting one initial and and two peer responses for each topic.
  Topic Title Replies
Message You can Make a Difference!
Think of a time in you life that you have heard, read, or learned something about the affects of poverty and write about it. If you have not been introduced to poverty yet write what the issue means to you. Now in you own words think of a small way you could battle the harmful effects of poverty. 
Sent on: Jun 26, 2019 by: Karyne Jean-bart		 0
Message A Journey of History
If you could travel anywhere in the world, such as Egypt, and learn its history where would you go? Provide examples to support your reasoning.
Sent on: Jun 26, 2019 by: Karyne Jean-bart		 0
Message Why is it harder to live in certain environments?
The Passage states, "There are other parts that are difficult to live—they are deserts. So not many people live there." Think of a place in America where it might be particularly difficult to live such as Mountains and Deserts. Now write about this location and why it is harder to live there. 
Sent on: Jun 26, 2019 by: Karyne Jean-bart		 0
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.1,
 
     
     
 
Task 2: Vocabulary Activity (20 points)
Instructions: Please complete the following vocabulary activity by choosing the correct meaning of each word selected from the passage and use of each word correctly in a sentence.
Vocabulary Questions
Word/Phrase: Poverty | Tier: 2 | Points: 5
Q1 In this Passage the author states \"There have been wars. There have been problems of poverty. Poor people in the cities need jobs.\" What does the word \"poverty\" mean in this sentence?
A. Having a lot of money.
B. Being Very poor. *
C. When people are angry at each other.
D. When someone is extremely happy.
Which sentence below uses the word \"Poverty\" correctly
A. Sally could not see the play because poverty was blocking her view.
B. I have five pieces of poverty to share with my friends.
C. Families who suffer from poverty can barley afford to eat. *
D. The beautiful house, filled with riches, is full of poverty.
Word/Phrase: residents | Tier: 2 | Points: 5
Q2 The reading passage states \"About half of Egypt\'s residents live in cities\" in this sentence what does the word \"residents\" mean?
A. A person or people who live somewhere for a long period of time. *
B. People who work only in the city.
C. The animals who live in a certain spot.
D. A person or people temporally visiting a place.
In Which sentence below is the Word "residents" used incorrectly?
A. The residents of the Tampa helped clean up on earth day.
B. Increasing numbers of residents in the city alarms the mayor.
C. All residents are required to evacuate due to a storm.
D. The residents on the plate means it is not clean. *
Word/Phrase: Mediterranean | Tier: 3 | Points: 5
Q3 "The north side of Egypt borders the Mediterranean." in the text what does the word "Mediterranean" mean?
A. Body of water between Greece and Libya, as well as the countries bordering it. *
B. A style of food popular in the United States.
C. The direction the sun sets in.
D. A country in Africa.
In which sentence below is "Mediterranean" used incorrectly?
A. The Mediterranean sea is made out of salt water.
B. Many accident battles where fought on the Mediterranean sea.
C. I visited the Mediterranean in Florida. *
D. The Nile river flows into the Mediterranean.
Word/Phrase: Hieroglyphics | Tier: 3 | Points: 5
Q4 The passage says,"They invented a special way of writing. That was called hieroglyphics. They looked like pictures instead of alphabet letters." what does the word "Hieroglyphics" mean in this passages.
A. A form of written Language used by the Ancient Romans
B. A form of written Language used by the Ancient Egyptians. *
C. A form of written Language used by modern Spain.
D. A numerical system used in America.
Select the sentence below where hieroglyphics is used incorrectly.
A. The American alphabet is made from hieroglyphics. *
B. Archaeologist discovered ancient hieroglyphics deep in the dessert.
C. The hieroglyphics told the story of a great king.
D. Many Pyramid walls are covered in hieroglyphics.
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.10, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.3,
 
     
     
 
Task 3: Writing Activity (50 points)
Instructions: "You will still see hieroglyphics in Egypt today. But they are not used to read and write. They are a part of history." You are to write a 500 words essay on the History of Egypt and provided a basic resoucre page.
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2d, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.7,
 
     

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