Anceint Egypt - Author(s): Kathleen A. Stewart - Learning Standards: Mult. - The students were introduced to some of the history of ancient Egypt in their social studies classes. Now, in their library class, students will expand their knowledge of one aspect of Egyptian culture.

New York State Academy for Teaching and Learning

LEARNING EXPERIENCE OUTLINE

Microsoft Power Point – Let’s Learn About Ancient Egypt!

Kathleen A. Stewart – Media Specialist – W. A. Wettel Elementary School

PO Box 990 Peterboro Road Vernon NY 13476 (315) 829 – 3615

Vernon – Verona – Sherrill Central School District

Learning Context

Math / Science / Technology – Standard 2 – Students will access, generate, and transfer information using appropriate technologies.

Section 1 - Information technology is used to retrieve, process and communicate information and as a tool to enhance learning.

English / Language Arts Standard 1 – Students will read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding. As listeners and readers, students will collect data, facts, and ideas; discover relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and use knowledge generated from oral, written, and electronically produced texts. As speakers and writers, they will use oral and written language to acquire, interpret, apply, and transmit information.

Speaking & Writing – 2 - Speaking and writing to acquire and transmit information requires asking probing and clarifying questions, interpreting information in one’s own words, applying information from one context to another, and presenting the information and interpretation clearly, concisely and comprehensively.

English / Language Arts Standard 4 – Language for Social Interaction – Students will read, write, listen, and speak for social interaction. Students will use oral and written language for effective social communication with a wide variety of people. As readers and listeners, they will use the social communications of others to enrich their understanding of people and their views.

1 - Listening and Speaking – Oral communication in formal and informal settings requires the ability to talk with people of different ages, genders, and cultures, to adapt presentations to different audiences, and to reflect on how talk varies in different situations.

Social Studies – Standard 2 – World History – Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of major ideas, themes, developments, and turning points in world history and examine the broad sweep of history from a variety of perspectives.

Section 3 – Study of the major social, political, cultural and religious developments in world history involves learning about the important roles and contributions of individuals and groups.

Section 3,2 present information about important developments in world history in a variety of oral and written forms.

Grade 6 students study the history and culture of ancient Egypt as part of their social studies curriculum. Students will use the knowledge learned in the classroom as a starting point to research, in depth, one aspect of Egyptian culture. They will then present, using Power Point, a brief report to the class about their topic.

Students need to be able to:

Research a topic
Take notes
Work in a group or alone to write a 3 page paper about their topic
Use the Internet to find appropriate web sites ( a list of Egyptian web sites will be given to each group)
Learn how to use the computer program Inspiration to create a story board for their multimedia presentation
Learn how to use the computer program Power Point to create multimedia presentation to share with the class
Copy images from the Internet or other sources to illustrate their project
Use the standard MLA citation form for print and non-print material
Produce a signed District Acceptable Use Policy giving them permission to use the Internet

PROCEDURE
The students were introduced to some of the history of ancient Egypt in their social studies classes. Now, in their library class, students will expand their knowledge of one aspect of Egyptian culture. They will choose a specific topic (art, dress/jewelry, family life, religion, Nile River, hieroglyphics, pharaohs, and pyramids), research the topic, and write a three-page report. Students will use Inspiration to create a preliminary storyboard of their multimedia presentation. At the conclusion of the project, they will present the information they gathered to the class, using Power Point as their visual aid / graphic organizer. During the course of the project, students will be required to take notes, locate appropriate graphics, type their report and cite their sources to create a works cited page, and print a storyboard.
INSTRUCTIONAL / ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS
Students who are scheduled to go to the Resource Room may work together as a group to complete their assignment. The Resource Room teacher / aide will assist them as if this were a regular classroom assignment, and offer appropriate help for the students. Modifications as to the length of the final report will be made after conferencing with their teachers. Their final report may be typed either by the students or their scribes. Additional assistance will be offered to help the students locate appropriate web sites and graphics.
TIME REQUIRED
Planning required 4 - 5 hours to type checklists; research appropriate web sites, and gather resources.

Students took approximately one month to complete this assignment. They were also working on other assignments from their classrooms, so time was flexible for their research, typing of reports, creating storyboards, and final Power Point projects. Classes visit the media center twice in a 6-day cycle, and some part of every library class was set aside for their Egypt assignment. They then used their Power Point slides to aid them making their oral presentations. Each group took about 10 minutes for their oral presentations.

Assessment was immediate. The media specialist and other students in the class had assessment rubrics that were completed as the students gave their presentations. In addition, the media specialist collected their notes and written reports to be sure that that portion of the assignment was completed.
RESOURCES
Students will receive a list of topics, some designated by the media specialist, some generated by the class; a list of Egyptian web sites; a project checklist / timeline to keep them on task; a citation / bibliography checklist; an Inspiration tutorial; and a Power Point tutorial.

Teachers need to have computers available for students to use for word processing, Inspiration and power Point; at least one Internet station; reference materials for students to use. Students need to have access to the following computer programs: a word processing program (Microsoft Works), Inspiration, Power Point (or Hyperstudio), Netscape (or Netscape Navigator).
ASSESMENT PLAN
ELA Standard 1 - Speaking & Writing -

Rubric for Power Point presentation by group (See attached)

Writing Rubric (See attached)

Project Checklist (See attached)

ELA Standard 4 - Language for Social Interaction -

Rubric for Power Point presentation by group (See attached)

Project Checklist (See attached)

SS Standard 2 - Important roles and contributions of individuals & groups

Writing Rubric (See attached)

Project Checklist (See attached)

MST Standard 2 - Students will… generate… information using appropriate technologies

Rubric for Power Point presentation by group (See attached)

Project Checklist (See attached)
STUDENT WORK
See attached
REFLECTION

Students were enthusiastic about this project. They always enjoy learning about ancient Egypt in their social studies classes, which was why I chose that as a topic to help them learn Inspiration and Power Point. Their prior knowledge made the research requirement much simpler for all levels of learners. They were able to extend and refine their knowledge as much as they wished. The variety of components also addressed the different learning styles of the students by allowing each group member to focus on what they do well. They found that each member of the group had a unique talent to share, with all of the parts making an exceptional whole.

A problem with this type of learning experience is having enough computers available for students. There is also a higher level of activity than with other more traditional types of activities. While some students are still researching topics, others are ready to begin typing their reports. Students and teachers need to be flexible when attempting this type of project. Students also need to be involved in creating and modifying time lines for the activities. Many times, after our group meetings, time lines and requirements were modified as their classroom teachers gave new assignments.

By tying this lesson to the MST, ELA, and SS standards, the connection between classroom and media center learning was maintained. Addressing several standards and performance indicators allowed students to extend their learning from the classroom to the media center. This wasn't a "make work" project for them. This was the culminating performance for their unit on ancient Egypt.

These activities could be extended to include the Career Development and Occupational Studies and the Art Standards, and could be modified to fit any subject area or grade level.

The whole premise of this activity was to allow the students to become familiar with two complicated software packages - Inspiration and Power Point. By letting them proceed at their own pace and trying to remove as much stress as possible while they were on task, they achieved their goal. The skills that students gained by completing these activities will serve them well as they continue their education, and most likely throughout their professional lives.

Egyptian Web Sites

http://www.multimedialibrary.com/FramesML/IM4/IM4page3.html

.gif images to illustrate your projects

http://www.dc.infi.net/~gunter/egypt/egypt.html

.gif images and maps of Egypt

http://odin.cc.pdx.edu/~psu19747/

Pictures of the mask of King Tut. Pyramids, and the eye of Osiris

http://mfah.org/splendor/docs/forkids/index.html

Explore ancient Egypt at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. Pictures or your projects, too!

http://interoz.com/egypt/kids/History.htm

The history of Egypt, including the Nile River, pharaohs, pyramids, and hieroglyphic inscriptions

http://hem1.passages.se/nightwin/nondoggy/egypt/epyramid.htm

Learn what it’s like inside an Egyptian pyramid.

http://www.civilization.ca/members/civiliz/egypt/egca12e.html

Egyptian civilization and Pyramid construction

http://members.aol.com/neferkiki/chicken.html

Plans to mummify a chicken.

http://members.aol.com.mumifyddog/first.html

Corkankhamun explains mummification: What is a mummy; The first Egyptian mummies; Why Egyptians made mummies; How Egyptians made mummies; Funeral masks and coffins; The tomb; The funeral procession.

http://members.aol.com/chichi/

Egyptian clip art; gods & goddesses; heiroglyphics

http://Pharos.bu.edu/Egypt/Wonders/pyramid.html

The Great Pyramid of Giza

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pyramid/

Explore the pyramids with a team of archaeologists as they excavate the bakery that fed the pyramid builders.

MICROSOFT PowerPoint….

Let’s Learn About Egypt

Log on.
Select the class that will allow you to run "Windows on C".

Highlight "Windows on C" and press Enter.

In Program Manager, double click Microsoft Office

Double Click Microsoft PowerPoint

Tip of the Day – Click OK
Choose Pick a Look Wizard – Click OK
Click Next
Click On Screen Presentation – click Next
Click on More – (Click Cancel unless you have options for

background) Click More – choose a background – they will be previewed in the window on the right of your screen. Sample as many backgrounds as you wish until you find one you like. Click Apply – click Next. ("Bevels" has an Egyptian look!)

Click on Full Page Slides to remove the x
Click on Audience Handout Pages to remove the x
Click on Next – then Next – then Finish
Click on Click to Add Title – Type your title
1. K. Stewart
2. 12. You can change the font / size / color by selecting (click and drag the mouse over the text to highlight it) the text and clicking the appropriate menu buttons. (You can also pull down the Format Menu – Choose Font and change all options at once.)
13. Title’s in the wrong place? Click and hold the mouse on the outer box on the Title. Drag the title to where you would like it.

14. Click on Click to Add Sub Title.

15. Type in BY and type in the names of the people who are presenting.

16. To make the next slide, click on the new slide button located at the bottom right corner of your screen.

17. You can choose any layout you would like.

18. Click on the "New Slide" box. Click on the type of slide design you want, and click OK.

19. Click and add text as you need to.

Adding Clip Art
1. To add clip art, first select a slide. Click on the Insert Menu. Choose Clip Art.
2. Select the image you want by double clicking on it or selecting it and choosing OK. The picture should appear on your slide.
Inserting a Picture You’ve Copied to a Disk
1. Select the slide to which you want to add a picture.
2. Place the disk you’ve stored the picture on in drive A. Be sure to have the disk scanned for viruses first!!!
3. Click on the Insert Menu. Click on Picture.
4. Click on Drives. Choose A.
5. Select the picture from the available file names. Click on OK.
6. Resize or move the picture if necessary. (Click, drag) Click off the picture when finished.
Save Your Work
1. After you have made two slides, you should save your work. Click on File.
2. The first time you save, click on Save As. Click on Drives, and select h:vvs_wettel/sys: (**or select the name of the file server in your building)
3. Double click in the File Name box, and type Egypt.
4. Click OK.
5. To save the next time, click File, Save.
6. To Exit, Save Your Work. Click File, Exit, OK to end Windows Session.
Finishing Your Presentation

When all of your slides are completed and just the way you want them to look:
1. Click on the Slide Sorter View button, located at the bottom left
corner. This will show all of the slides you’ve made.
Click on the first slide.
Click on the No Transition down arrow and select a transition. (When you release the mouse, you will see a preview of what your transition will look like. If you don’t like it, select another transition.
Click on the No Build Effect down arrow and choose an effect for the text. (You will NOT see a preview when you release the mouse.)
Click on slide #2 and choose a transition and build effect.
Do the same for the rest of your slides. Want the same effect for all of your slides? Hold the Shift key and click on each slide. The border should turn dark. Then select from the transition and Build Effect menus. Whatever you select for one will apply to all of the other slides, too.
If the slides are in the wrong order, click and hold the mouse button down on the slide you want to move until a dotted line appears. Drag the dotted line to where you want the slide to be and release the mouse.
Press the slide show button, located at the bottom left side of the screen. (Make sure the first slide of the presentation is selected – click on it – before running the slide show.)

Running a Slide Show in a Continuous Loop

Select the slide to be timed.
From the Tools menu, choose the Transition command.
Type a number under Advance in the Transition Dialog Box.
Set times for remaining slides.
From the View menu, choose Slide Show.
Select Run Continuously Until ESC
Select – Use Slide Timings. (You can also have Power Point set timings by using Rehearse New Timings option in the Slide Show dialog box.
Click Show.

Citation / Bibliography Check List

Author’s name (last, first) ____________________________________________________

Title _________________________________________________________________________

City of publication ___________________________________________________________

Publishing Company _________________________________________________________