Students in Grade 5 revived Ancient Egypt, bringing the mystique of the civilization on the Nile to their classroom and transforming the space into a veritable museum. To the delight of their peers, the students shared what they learned during their weeks immersed in the subject through presentations on Wednesday, February 28, and Thursday, February 29. Their research and discoveries were on full display.
Like their study of Mesopotamia earlier in the school year, students explored historical facts, drawing parallels between the profound legacy of Ancient civilizations and our contemporary world.
After collectively studying the achievements of the Ancient Egyptians, from monumental pyramids to intricate hieroglyphics and advancements in medicine, students chose aspects of Ancient Egypt that intrigued them the most and drew them into in-depth research.
"Learning about Ancient Egypt was really fun,” said Calliope Heimbold ’31. “Every day, we learned something new and exciting, and it made me want to keep learning more!"
Guided by their natural curiosity, students conducted research, honing their information synthesis and critical thinking skills. They applied the research skills in library sessions with Teacher Librarian Leigh Roberts, gaining a comprehensive understanding of their chosen topics.
Following their research, students worked for an additional three to five days in Grade 5 teacher Helen Santoro’s classroom to meticulously craft visual representations of their chosen subjects.
Santoro commended the class for their ingenuity and perseverance in engineering each project.
“These students are true thinkers and doers,” she said. “I was merely the facilitator, there to help hold the cardboard or wood together until the glue dried. They are an incredibly talented and motivated group.”
During the museum presentations, it was evident that students had developed a deep sense of pride and confidence in their work. They enthusiastically shared their findings, fielded questions, and engaged in thoughtful discussions with their peers.
“I learned that the ‘Book of the Dead’ wasn’t actually a book but a collection of papers that researchers found in different places,” said Mark Pece ’31.
“I always knew mummification was a thing, but I’d only heard about the scary mummies,” shared Tanya Jain ’31. “Mummies aren’t scary at all, actually. People in Egypt just wanted to preserve bodies as they believed it helped the soul to go into the afterlife.”
As the Grade 5 journey continues, Mesoamerica is the next destination on the itinerary. Here, students will explore the origins of civilization in the Americas, tracing the path of human progress and understanding how it led to the world as we know it today.