Grade 5 Revives the Mystique of Ancient Egypt
Grade 5 students brought Ancient Egypt to life, channeling the mystique of the Nile River civilization into their classroom and transforming it into a vibrant museum. Following weeks of immersive study, students proudly showcased what they had learned during presentations on Thursday, February 26.
Similar to their earlier exploration of Mesopotamia, students examined key historical developments while drawing meaningful connections between the enduring legacy of ancient civilizations and the modern world.
“When I made the ziggurat for the Mesopotamia presentation, it was a lot of math to figure out how many Legos I would need, so I liked how I could be more creative with the Sphinx design for Egypt,” said Henry Taubin ’33.
After studying the remarkable accomplishments of the Ancient Egyptians, from towering pyramids and intricate hieroglyphics to innovations in medicine, students selected topics that captured their curiosity and dove deeper through independent research.
"I thought it was cool but a little gross that Anubis weighs people’s hearts,” said Alex Mitchell ’33 after describing how the jackal-headed god of mummification, death, and the afterlife would judge people’s souls.
Over the course of the unit, teacher Helen Santoro challenged students to refine their research by using critical thinking skills to synthesize information into verbal presentations. Santoro also emphasized the importance of creativity in writing to help draw an audience in as students built a thorough understanding of their chosen subjects.
Once their research was complete, students utilized classroom time to design and construct detailed visual representations of their topics.
Santoro praised the class for their creativity and determination throughout the process, which was especially challenging this year due to recent snowstorms.
“These kids rose to the occasion, and they didn’t miss a beat,” she said. “When you listen to their presentations, it's more than just reciting facts; you can tell they know what they’re talking about inside and out.”
During the museum-style presentations, students’ pride and confidence were unmistakable. They eagerly shared their expertise, answered questions, and engaged parents in thoughtful conversations.
“When it was snowing, I practiced my speech at home in the mirror so I’d be ready for my presentation,” said Avery Taubin ’33.
“We were inspired by Cleopatra,” shared Riley Lota ’33, who created a fashionable dress with classmate Becca Sharon ’33. “We used light fabric like they did in Ancient Egypt to keep cool and added gems to signify wealth.”
Next on the Grade 5 journey is Mesoamerica. Students will turn their focus to the early civilizations of the Americas, exploring how these societies developed and how their innovations helped shape the world we know today.