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A Lesson on Egypt Save As Favorite
A Lesson on Egypt Grade: Grade 4
Subject: English Language Arts
Created by: Hannah Fernandez
Lesson Length: 1 hour 30 minutes
Keywords/Tags: Reading, Vocabulary, Critical Thinking, Egypt
Lesson Description: Students are to individually read this passage, then the instructor will reread the passage, and give a short guided lesson on it. Once students have an understanding of the passage, they will answer the questions below. Through this lesson plan, students will develop a greater understanding of vocabulary, reading comprehension, and critical thinking skills.
Common Core Standards Covered with This Lesson
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.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.RI.4.4: Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.4a: Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding.
  • 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.4.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.9a: Apply grade 4 Reading standards to literature (e.g., “Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text [e.g., a character’s thoughts, words, or actions].”).
 
     
     
 
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: 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: continent | Tier: 2 | Points: 5
Q1 The author in our story says, "Egypt is a country in Africa. It is at the north part of the continent." What does the word "continent" mean in the sentence?
A. A large expanse of land on the Earth's surface. There are seven total on this Earth. *
B. A body of water found on Earth.
C. A small expanse of land on the Earth's surface.
D. A mountain range found on the Earth.
Choose the best sentence below that describes the use of the word "continent" correctly.
A. The city of Egypt is a continent.
B. The Atlantic Ocean is a continent.
C. Africa is a large mass of land and is one of the seven continents found on this Earth. *
D. Mount Kilimanjaro is a continent.
Word/Phrase: modern | Tier: 2 | Points: 5
Q2 What word best defines the meaning of the word "modern" from this sentence in the story: "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."
A. old
B. past
C. old-fashioned
D. present-day *
Which one of the below sentences uses the word "modern" correctly?
A. The old farmhouse that was built in 1865 and has not changed since, is considered modern for today.
B. The newly built new house has modern day furniture and technology. *
C. The 1960's car that has not been updated is considered modern for the twenty-first century.
D. The old rusty boat that has not been renovated for years in considered modern.
Word/Phrase: hieroglyphics | Tier: 3 | Points: 5
Q3 The author in the story 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?
A. writing system *
B. A fancy way of writing in Latin.
C. A way to communicate with people that read different languages.
D. Writing that is similar to script.
Which one of the sentences below uses the word "hieroglyphics" correctly?
A. Roman Catholics preferred to draw sketches using hieroglyphics.
B. Hieroglyphics are a way of farming.
C. Egyptians used hieroglyphics to write. *
D. Hieroglyphics are a type of food eaten by Egyptians.
Word/Phrase: pyramids | Tier: 3 | Points: 5
Q4 The author in the story says, "Long ago, Egyptians made this the greatest place in the world. They built pyramids." What does the word "pyramids" mean?
A. Small square houses Egyptians lived in.
B. Wooden barns Egyptians built in the shape of a circle.
C. Large rectangle farms built by the Egyptians.
D. Stonework buildings, or temples, made in the shape of pyramids. *
Which one of the sentences below uses the word "pyramids" correctly?
A. Pyramids are where Egyptians farm.
B. Pyramids are used to train gladiators.
C. Pyramids were great buildings built for people of importance in Egypt. *
D. Pyramids are used as hotels.
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.4a,
 
     
     
 
Task 2: 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 Why do you think ancient Egypt was considered the greatest place in the world?
The article says, "They have a rich history. Long ago, Egyptians made this the greatest place in the world." Give three examples explaining why you think Egypt was the greatest place in the world. 
Sent on: Oct 7, 2016 by: Hannah Fernandez		 0
Message What are some ways America also has problems similar to Egypt?
The article says, "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." What are some ways America also has problems similar to Egypt?
Sent on: Oct 7, 2016 by: Hannah Fernandez		 0
Message What are some ways people can work together to help make a country great?
The article states, "Egypt is a great country. It has a wonderful history. It will have a great future because people are working hard." Point out examples from the article that show how people are working together to make the country great. Then, give a few examples in your own opinion of people working together to make a country great.
Sent on: Oct 7, 2016 by: Hannah Fernandez		 0
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.9,
 
     
     
 
Task 3: Writing Activity (50 points)
Instructions: You are to write and post here 500 words essay on what your life would be like living in ancient Egypt. Make sure to provide specific examples from the article of the events, tools and buildings used by the Egyptians at the time. Think of three meaningful questions you would have as a civilian of ancient Egypt. You will share your essay with the class. 

 
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.9a,
 
     

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