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Multicultural Literature Lesson: Egypt Export Lesson as PDF | Save As Favorite
Multicultural Literature Lesson: Egypt Grade: Grade 4
Subject: English Language Arts
Created by: Medgine Auguste
Lesson Length: 2 hours
Keywords/Tags: multicultural literature, egypt, grade 4, language arts
Lesson Description: The goal of this lesson is for students to practice their reading and writing skills while learning about a different culture. Students will learn new vocabulary words, use their background knowledge to answer discussion questions, and complete a writing assignment using details from the text.
Common Core Standards Covered with This Lesson
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.1: Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
  • 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.4.1a: Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which related ideas are grouped to support the writer’s purpose.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1c: Link opinion and reasons using words and phrases (e.g., for instance, in order to, in addition).
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.4a: Use context (e.g., definitions, examples, or restatements in text) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.6: Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal precise actions, emotions, or states of being (e.g., quizzed, whined, stammered) and that are basic to a particular topic (e.g., wildlife, conservation, and endangered when discussing animal preservation).
 
     
     
 
Lesson Content: Reading
Instructions: Please read the following reading passage as many times as needed (aloud and silent) before continuing to the activities.

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: Vocabulary Activity (20 points)
Instructions: Complete the following vocabulary activity by choosing the correct meaning of the word  and the correct use of the word.
Vocabulary Questions
Word/Phrase: Hieroglyphic | Tier: 3 | Points: 5
Q1 "You will still see hieroglyphics in Egypt today." - What does the word "hieroglyphic" mean?
A. artifacts
B. a special way of writing invented by the Egyptians *
C. a special way of speaking invented by the Egyptians
D. Pharaoh
Choose the correct use of the word "hieroglyphic"
A. I came upon some hieroglyphic symbols while searching for the tomb. *
B. The Pharaohs were buried inside hieroglyphics.
C. In Egypt, the second son was the hieroglyphic of the family.
D. The merchant paid 12 hieroglyphics for those crops, but he is reselling them for 20!
Word/Phrase: border | Tier: 2 | Points: 5
Q2 "The north side of Egypt borders the Mediterrenean."- What does the word "border" mean?
A. covering of an area
B. the edge of a surface that forms its outer boundary *
C. middle of the land
D. divide
Choose the correct use of the word "border"
A. Place your border! Place your border! 25 cents! 25 cents to place your border!
B. The food border blogged about the new restaurant across the street.
C. Alabama is located on the southeastern border of Tennessee. *
D. Please, continue to keep the books in border! said Mrs. Taylor.
Word/Phrase: special | Tier: 2 | Points: 5
Q3 "It is in a very special location." -What does the word "special" mean?
A. terrible
B. lonely
C. ugly
D. extraordinary; exceptional *
Choose the correct use of the word "special"
A. My puppy holds a special place in my heart. *
B. Today was a special day, I did the same things I did yesterday.
C. The sun is shining special at me.
D. Do you believe in special at first sight?
Word/Phrase: Pyramid | Tier: 3 | Points: 5
Q4 "They built pyramids."- What does the word "pyramid" mean?
A. Egyptian schools
B. Egyptian homes
C. Egyptian architecture meant to be used as a tomb *
D. Egyptian cities
Choose the correct use of the word "pyramid"
A. Egyptian Pharaohs were the first people to be buried inside pyramids. *
B. The students are participating in pyramid games this weekend.
C. Will you be attending the pyramid tonight?
D. Quickly, we're going to be late to pyramid!
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.4a, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.6,
 
     
     
 
Task 2: Discussion Activity (45 points)
Instructions: Read the posted questions and respond to each question. Reply to two other classmates.
  Topic Title Replies
Message Egypt has had problems.
The author states that "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."

Give some ideas on how Egypt could solve these problems.


Sent on: Oct 7, 2014 by: Medgine Auguste		 0
Message Tone of the author
Does the author speak about Egypt in a positive or negative tone? Use details from the text in your reponse.
Sent on: Oct 7, 2014 by: Medgine Auguste		 0
Message Egypt.
What comes to mind when you think of Egypt?  Use your background knowledge from movies, books you've read, and the text.
Sent on: Oct 7, 2014 by: Medgine Auguste		 0
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1a,
 
     
     
 
Task 3: Writing Activity (35 points)
Instructions: Egypt was once a great country, but now it has many problems.

You are to write and post here 500 words essay on what you believe may have caused Egypt to lose its power over the years. Be creative and make sure to provide specific examples.
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1c,
 
     

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