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Egypt
History
Hieroglyphs
Mummies
Pharaohs
and Gods
Pyramids
Symbols
If you are interested in learning more about Egyptian
Pyramids check out this link.
Pyramid
Site
Lesson Title:
Egyptian Pyramid Puzzle
Grades: K-6
Objectives:
Students will work as a team
Students will recognize triangles as the base
shapes for a pyramid.
Students will recognize the number four as being
significant when associated with pyramids.
Students will relate shapes according to colors.
Central Questions:
1. Does anyone know what a pyramid is? (A large
structure built as a tomb for Egyptian Pharaohs)
2. How many sides does a pyramid have? (4)
3. What is the 2 dimensional shape on each side
of a pyramid? (Triangle)
References:
Isaacson, P.M. (1993). A short walk around
the pyramid and through the world of art. New York: Alfred. A. Knopf,
Inc.
Preparation:
1. Collect images of the pyramids of Giza and
reference books with pyramid images.
2. Cut four, large tan cardboard triangles to
make a pyramid. (To be used in reference to guide central questions)
3. World Globe
4. Four sets of "four pieced" pyramid puzzles.
{This is the greatest task but it is the focus of the lesson.
Creating each puzzle is in a one-time thing because
the puzzles can be reused for future lessons. Measurements and color coding
suggestions have been including to create the pyramids puzzles.
See the bottom of this web page for the pattern.
Note: Students can exchange their knowledge of pyramids
by viewing the PBS and Nova video "This Old Pyramid" but it is not essential.
Procedures:
1. Present the topic "Pyramids" to the class
using the tan cardboard pyramid and asking central questions.
2. Use the world globe to inform the class where
the Egyptian Pyramids are located.
3. Inform the class about separating into groups
to assemble a pyramid puzzle.
4. Line up the class boy, girl order.
5. Ask the students to count off 1, 2, 3 and
4. (repeating 1-4)
6. Students gather into groups by numbers.(ex.
all the 1's )
7. Pass out the puzzle pieces (4 pieces to at
team)
~ Ensure they are the correct 4 pieces if each
puzzle is color coded
8. Students work together to assemble the puzzle.
After a group completes the puzzle ask this question:
"How is this pyramid different from the tan pyramid
used in the introduction?"
Answer: The puzzle is only a 3 sided pyramid.
9. Students may repeat putting the puzzle together
if time allows.
10. Return the puzzles.
Assessment:
1. Throughout Q and A find out what the students
knew before the discussion and what they know after putting the puzzle
together.
2. Ensure the groups are working as a team.
3. Review the central questions. |
...
The 6 steps of building a pyramid.
Having found the center of the base,
the stones are laid in the form of a square,
working from the center outwards.
The workmen lay blocks of poorer local limestone.
These are called core blocks because they lie
at the
center of the pyramid.
Better quality limestone is used when the shape of the
first square needs correcting. Blocks of Tura limestone
are used. These are called
internal casing blocks.
Alternate borders of core blocks and internal casing
blocks are laid round the first square. Every time the
internal casing blocks are used the square is measure,
to ensure that it remains a perfect square. Only two
borders of the internal casing blocks are shown here:
the number varies in different pyramids.
The second to the last row of stones to be laid is made
up of packing block, again if local limestone.
They must fit together closely and form the outside of
a perfect square.
The final row of stones laid are called casing blocks.
Made of best quality Tura limestone.
The last check is made to see that a square has
been perfectly maintained. |
Pyramids...
