Ancient Egypt…
The last three weeks have
been immersed in our study of ancient Egypt. It is a rich topic that lends
itself to be inspired by amazing artwork, design, and story telling. Linda and
I each led focus groups—where we split the ¾ graders into 2 groups and each
held two classes on a topic. Both groups did each focus group classes. Linda
had the students research “every day life” in ancient Egypt and make a beautiful
“Tomb Painting” on real papyrus paper. The artwork is Egypt-inspired and
depicts scenes of people doing crafts, creating art, writing hieroglyphs,
farming, building, and fishing. These are hanging in the hallway. I led a
series of lessons called, “Myths, Gods, and Death Rituals”. We read some
mythology and saw some short videos about the creator god, Ra and the story of
Osiris and how he becomes the god of the afterlife. These myths are the
foundation of the Egyptian’s belief system. We studied the significance of the
important symbols and students made watercolor pictures of the “Eye of
Ra/Horus” and the scarab beetle. We also made amulets out of colored clay,
which were used for protection and as magic charms for one’s trip to the
afterlife.
Last week we traveled to the
Boston Museum of Fine Art to see the fabulous Egyptian collection. There were 8
rooms of artwork, both large and small. The favorite room, Funerary Arts, had
dimmed lights and beautiful sarcophagi, coffins, mummies, statues called
ushabitis, amulets, and canophic jars. Everything we had seen in books was there
to view and read about. Our kids did a great job looking at everything, finding
things for the scavenger hunt, and sketching artifacts. It was a long day and a
terrific experience.
This week students are making
a “mummy mask”. Students work in pairs and cover each other’s faces with
plaster gauze to make the mask. It is a calming and trust building experience.
The person being masked had to close his/her eyes and be wrapped like a mummy
and wait until the mask dries. It is an unusual experience to lay still with
eyes closed and be attended to as your face is being molded to a mask.
The musical is a real treat.
Both casts do a spectacular job and what a fun adaptation of Shakespeare! The
schedule has been very different but we carry on 4th grade with the
academic routine. In math, I introduced integers and how to add and subtract
with negative numbers. We played a very successful game called Credits/Debits
where kids add or subtract positive or negative numbers according to a coin
toss and card pick. It was great practice of a new skill with the excitement of
winning the lottery. In literacy,
students are learning how to express their opinions and write a persuasive
essay on a topic. This is a great assignment for this age because kids are so
committed to their opinions on things. I will guide each student to explain his/her
reasons tactfully and knowledgeably in order to be persuasive. Topic ideas
range from environmental issues, making healthy choices, taking a stance on the
tax laws, to having less homework. We will create drafts and go through the
revision process to create a revised and finished essay.
That’s all for now…
--Emily
May 31- June 1-
overnight rafting/ camping trip
Field Trip addition: Tues. June 12 (the last week of school)- we will go to Bellows Falls
to learn about the hydroelectric dam, see the fish ladder, and go down to the
CT River to study water quality and then have a picnic. I will need 2-3
drivers- 8:30- 2:30.
