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  • The Sphinx: Guardian of the Tombs


    Standing
    to the north, and slightly below the pyramids at Giza is the Sphinx. It
    is made of limestone. The body and head were cut from a single limestone
    rock, present at the site. The paws were added on after. With the head
    of a human and a lion’s body, it has guarded the site of the pyramids
    for almost 4,500 years.

    Named the Sphinx, after a creature in Greek mythology that had a woman’s head
    and lion’s body, it is supposed to be both intelligent and strong. The Egyptians
    call him Abu El Hol.

    The main section of the body is 171 feet long; the total length including the
    paws, which stick out in the front, is 242 feet, with it reaching a height of 66
    feet at the top of the head.

    Although not all historians agree, the majority believes that King Khafra,
    the son of King Khufu, who built the Great Pyramid, probably built the Sphinx.
    King Khafra built the second pyramid at Giza, smaller than his father’s but
    bigger than the third pyramid. The Sphinx lies beside the valley temple of
    Khafra’s pyramid. The Ancient Egyptians thought that the Sphinx was a powerful
    God.

    The face of the Sphinx has been badly damaged over the centuries, but it is
    still recognizable as a human face. Legend would have us believe that either the
    French used the Sphinx for target practice, with canons, during the Napoleonic
    wars, or perhaps the British troops during World War 1. The story goes that the
    nose of the Sphinx was shot off during this target practice. This legend is not
    true. We know from photographs that the nose was missing long before WWI. There
    are also drawings made of the Sphinx, before the Napoleonic wars, which clearly
    show the Sphinx without a nose. The best theory that anyone can come up with is
    that it was badly damaged by the wind and sand, and just disintegrated.

    The Sphinx is wearing the classic headdress of a Pharaoh and has the beard of
    a god. The beard fell off, and was removed from the site. Part of it can be seen
    in the British Museum     in London. Most historians believe that it was meant
    to have the face of King Khafra.

    The Ancient Egyptians worshipped the Sphinx and offered sacrifices to it.
    They also left stones inscribed with messages, some of these stones have been
    found, scattered around the Sphinx.

    The Sphinx is lying down in the sand, with his paws outstretched. Between the
    paws there is a large slab of red granite. Inscribed on it was the story of a
    dream. Soon after the stone was uncovered and the message deciphered, it began
    to crumble from exposure to the air. The writing can no longer be read.

    The Dream

    King Thutmose IV should never have been a King of Egypt, but he was. The
    story is that before he was King he used to go hunting in the desert, at that
    time he was a Prince, but not in a very good position to get the throne. One day
    he fell asleep while hunting, and had a dream.

    In the dream the Sphinx appeared and told Thutmose that although he was not
    meant to be Pharaoh, he had been very dutiful to the Gods and deserved a reward.
    The Sphinx promised to make Thutmose king if he did one thing for the Sphinx, in
    return.

    Prince Thutmose immediately asked what it was that the Sphinx required. The
    Sphinx replied that his statue was buried in the sand, and that nobody had done
    anything about it. It is reported that at that time, only the head of the Sphinx
    was showing above the surrounding desert. Prince Thutmose set about the task of
    clearing away the sand, and eventually became King of all Egypt.

    Tall tale or True Story?

    Many Egyptians believe that the story is true, and that the Sphinx really did
    talk to Prince Thutmose in a dream. However, this isn’t very likely. It is far
    more likely that the Prince made up the story so that the people of Egypt would
    accept him as their King.

    The Future

    In recent times attempts have been made to stop the Sphinx from eroding even
    more. The blowing sands in the desert are gradually eating away at it. The
    closeness of Cairo, with all its traffic and pollution is also causing damage to
    the Sphinx. Different methods of preservation have been tried, but so far, none
    have been successful. Some of the methods have caused even more damage to the
    fragile structure.

    If you look closely at the photograph you can see some of the damage. The red
    arrows show attempts to repair it. The neck has had mortar added. Bricks have
    been added to the outside of the body, using mortar. It has since been
    discovered that the mortar is eating away at the limestone even more quickly
    than the air pollution.

    The Sphinx has stood, as Guardian to the Pyramids, for 4,500 years, but it is
    unlikely that it will be there in another 4,500 years, unless someone can come
    up with a good way of preserving it.

  • Ancient History


    For students of history and even who like knowing about history, ancient history holds a special place. This is because it represents a world that is left far behind but was very similar to ours when you look at it closely. The basics of civilization had its seeds sown in those times and they have remained unchanged down the centuries.

    Early history is often specifically referred to as the history of Greece and Rome from the ancient times to the Middle Ages. But this does not mean that those were the only civilizations that were present at those times, there were other civilizations mushrooming and burgeoning all around the world at more or less the same period. Other empires like that in China and Mohenjodaro and Harappa (India) in Asia, Mesopotamia, Egypt in Africa, Aztecs, Mayans and Incas in Latin America etc. flourished at around this time too. So the term ancient history should ideally also include the study of these civilizations.

    The main handicap in studying ancient history is that we know too little of that period, this is because the exact happenings of the old times have not been well documented or it has been lost. The ones that remain of course contain a biased view of the authors and cannot always be fully depended upon. Thus, whatever knowledge we have of the ancient world is through archaeology. Important archaeological finds to date are the Egyptian pyramids, the city of Mohenjodaro and Harappa, Pompeii-the city destroyed by the volcano, as well as the Chinese terracotta army.

    The Classical age of history that comprises mainly the Roman and Greek civilizations also extends to the Mediterranean region of Phoenicia, Scythia, Carthage, and to the Hittites and Etruscans. The historians who have recorded the events of this age are Livy, Herodotus, Tacitus, Suetonius, Polybius, Thucydides etc. Such were the knowledge, learning and teaching of the great people of this age that they are followed to this day. For example, in philosophy and literary theory, Aristotle remains unchallenged, Hippocrates and Galen form the basis of the medicinal world. They have influenced every facet of our lives like politics, sculpture and architecture.

    Thus, if a timeline is created to represent the major events of ancient history then it will be seen that the beginnings start with the Sumerian Civilization followed by the Egyptian civilization, the Indus Valley civilization, the Shang dynasty of China and the Greek and Roman Civilization. The two other notable civilizations from the Americas are the Maya and Inca.

    While studying early history thus, concentrating on a single civilization does not suffice, you need to focus uniformly on the developments of each continent. For example, in America itself there have been the Mayas, Incas and the Olmec civilizations, which have all contributed to ancient history in their own particular way.


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  • 4th Grade Reading Worksheets


    4th grade reading worksheets are tools that make your child’s reading program more comprehensive and practical. If your child is in the 4th grade, then his/her reading program should consist of interactive activities, assessments of the things learnt and a little guided reading that should enhance the child’s reading capability.

    4th grade reading worksheets, due to their practical orientation, supplement your child’s vocabulary, spelling, grammar and comprehension skills.

    The proper reading program

    Before going into the details of the worksheets, let’s learn what a good reading program for the 4th grade should consist of. A good reading program should comprise of several tools and methodologies. 4th grade reading worksheets is only one of them. Reading activities, reading games, reinforcement exercises and finally the assessments are the other constituents of a good reading program.

    A good reading program is expected to address major English language arts strands. These include vocabulary, comprehension skills, literature, writing capability, listening and speaking skills.

    All about the worksheets

    4th grade reading worksheets are extremely beneficial for the students not only at the class, but also at home for their homework. Good reading worksheets available in the market contain original stories, poems, essays etc. for the children to read and understand. Teachers and parents will be able to connect the 4th grade reading worksheets to 4th grade book lessons. These worksheets can be used as learning supplements at class, home and also for upcoming tests and quizzes.

    Often comprehension worksheets are graphically organized to keep the little reader engaged and glued to them. The worksheets focus on strengthening any specific skill area covered by the corresponding book lesson.

    After children read short stories, essays and articles from their 4th grade reading worksheets, they will be asked several questions to assess their level of understanding and retention. This should be a continuous practice aimed towards improvement of the children’s reading standards. During later lessons the children would not only be asked questions from the story, but also meanings of specific words.

    All these little guided exercises help children to gain mastery over their reading and in due course the language itself.

    Now, you might ask me about the source of good worksheets. Apart from the nearest school textbook store, you might shop them over the Net. If you are net-savvy, a little research could also land you into sites that host free printable 4th grade reading worksheets usable both at school and at home.

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  • Let’s Play Ostrich


    It’s OK to want to play Ostrich sometimes. Sometimes
    things happen that are just too painful to think about. Even grownups have a
    hard time with it. This is a picture of a little friend of mine, called Kevin.

     

    He is two years old in this picture. It looks just like
    any picture of a two year old, trying to get a drink. But this isn’t just any
    picture. Six years ago, a terrible thing happened. Somebody blew up a building
    in the United States. People were really upset; all everyone talked about was
    what had happened and how terrible it was. You couldn’t find anything else on
    the television, or in the newspapers. Then someone saw this picture of Kevin,
    and it made them smile. They clicked away with that camera. Even Kevin’s Mom
    doesn’t really know what happened.

    The next thing she knew she was receiving letters from
    all over the world, people writing to thank her for the smiles. Someone had sent
    the picture to the newspaper and pretty soon it was finding it’s way all around
    the world. The whole world wanted to play ostrich, just for a day.

    You might think that Kevin is a special little boy now.
    Well he isn’t. He is the same as any other 8 year old. He plays and fights with
    his brothers, sometimes he gets in trouble at school, he likes to collect
    Pokemon cards, and he just likes to be a boy. The terrible thing didn’t change
    him, and neither did being famous for a day. Just for one day Kevin was special
    and made the world smile.

     

    Who do you know who is special, today, and can make you
    smile?


  • Viking Homes


    The Vikings lived in simple homes. One main, low room. The animals were kept
    close by. They even had outdoor bathrooms! Some of the wealthy ones had huge
    wooden beds. They had chairs for their babies. They hung things on pegs and put
    them in trunks. They had long tables. Rich homes even had fancy glassware from
    trading. Important possessions were kept locked in huge wooden trunks.
    Clothes were hung on pegs and fireplaces kept the house warm. 

    The Vikings
    were farmers when the climate allowed. Some raised cattle, sheep, chickens and
    ducks. They would use these for food and bartering. They made butter and
    cheese. Others who could not raise animals for food hunted deer, seals and
    fished. 

    They must have known something about beekeeping as they traded honey
    for things they needed or wanted. The house graphic will show you a
    picture of a Viking farm you can print out and color.


  • Algebra 1 Worksheets


    Algebra 1 worksheets are excellent tools for mastering the basics of algebra. Essentially, algebra is a particular branch of mathematics, which deals with solving equations using letters for representing unknown and unfamiliar quantities. Algebra seems very difficulty for some students as they find it hard to deal with letters and symbols in place of numbers causing abstraction in sight and hearing.

    In fact, algebra 1 worksheet helps a student learn algebra in a way, which helps him to understand and perceive better, with more accuracy and clarity.

    Algebra 1 worksheets help students learn the subject without any sort of abstractions or impediments. These worksheets also help to learn quickly and get adjusted easily. If the students are made to learn some tricks and shortcuts they can improve with more confidence in solving algebraic problems, this is what algebra 1 worksheets offer.

    Algebra 1 worksheets include five principal instructional components like – Introduction of the new increment, Examples with complete solutions, practice of the increment, Daily problem sets, and Cumulative tests. However, the worksheets include topics like:

    • Absolute value
    • Unit conversions
    • The algebra of polynomials and rational expressions
    • Graphical solution of simultaneous equations
    • Factoring
    • Functional notations and functions
    • Direct and inverse variation
    • Two dimensional regions
    • Statistics
    • Probability
    • Involving signed numbers, exponents and roots
    • Equations and inequalities involving absolute value
    • Arithmetic and evaluation of expressions
    • Solution of equations in one unknown
    • Word problems requiring algebra for the solution
    • Graphs of a variety of functions: linear or quadratic
    • Pythagorean theorem
    • Solution of quadratic equations by factoring
    • Exponential growth
    • Computation of the surface area and volume
    • A wide variety of geometric solids
    • Computation of the perimeter and area
    • Properties of real numbers
    • Scientific notation
    • Completing the square and quadratic formula
    • Algebraic proofs
    • Cubic square root, absolute value, etc.
    • Solutions of simultaneous equation
    • Translations and reflections of graphs

    The algebra 1 worksheets include a variety of activities, games and graphing calculator materials, specifically meant for students having enough maturity required for first year of high school.

    Self study in algebra is genuinely a headache. However, the algebra 1 worksheet will help you to overcome difficulties of understanding concepts of algebra in an absolutely proper and correct manner. Algebra 1 worksheets not only helps in conceptualizing algebra, it also make the subject more easy and interesting for you.


  • Teacher Professional Development


    Today, when general life environment and conditions undergo rapid changes, teacher professional development can no longer remain a secondary issue, because for many people education has become the key that opens up for them doors to more saturated life, success and prosperity. Education stands on the frontier of modern society. With every year new teaching styles and programs are being developed and new discoveries and technologies are changing the course of everyday life, of education and of business. That is why the necessity of personal or

  • Joan of Arc


    Joan of Arc was born in 1412 in the village of Domremy in
    North Eastern France. Her parents were peasants, and Joan never attended school.
    Like all children of the working classes in those days, she helped with chores
    from an early age. She was deeply religious and spent hours praying in the
    church.

    From a young age she claimed to hear the voices of St Michael
    (the Archangel) and two saints, St. Catherine and St. Margaret.

    When Joan was born, England and France had been at war for
    about 100 years. The details of the war are extremely confusing, but the
    relevant part is that they were, at that time, fighting over who should be King
    of France.

    The English had won lands in North Western France. Henry V
    was King of England and Charles VI was King of France. All French Kings were
    crowned in Reims, a city in the Northern part of France controlled by the
    English. After the English won the land they signed a treaty with France. The
    agreement was that Charles could remain King of France, but that when he died,
    Henry would rule. Unfortunately Charles and Henry both died within a very short
    time of each other. Charles had a son, (also named Charles, later known as
    Charles VII). Henry also had a son (later known as Henry VI) whom the English
    claimed should be King of France due to the agreement between the two countries.
    When his father died, Charles, at that time known as the Dauphin, quickly
    claimed the throne for himself. The French people refused to accept that he was
    King until he had been crowned in Reims. The English were determined that would
    never happen, and started trying to take even more French land. The Duke of
    Burgundy, a French Duke, was helping the English. He wanted to eventually take
    the crown for himself, or at least gain more land. With no King in charge, the
    French were losing and it looked fairly certain that they would eventually
    control all of France.

    Into this stepped Joan. The voices, which until then had
    given her only general guidance, began telling her she must save France from the
    English. She was instructed to go to the leader of the French Army, telling him
    she could lead France to victory and have Charles crowned. She was seventeen
    years old at the time.

    With the help of a local baron, she found her way to Charles.
    She managed to persuade him that she truly heard voices, and that God would help
    her get him crowned. Although it is unclear why Charles believed her, legend has
    it she told him things that only he could have known. Charles was convinced that
    Joan and the voices were genuine, and he agreed to give her a small army. He
    also gave her a suit of white armor and a sword.

    The English had recently captured Orleans, a city about 80
    miles from Paris. This is where Joan started her mission. She led her small army
    against the English, and was wounded. Her men, seeing her bravery and
    determination to fight on, were inspired. They retook the city of Orleans for
    France. Joan became known as the maid of Orleans. The French rallied behind Joan
    and supported her. With their help she won several more battles. The English
    were losing ground quickly, and Reims once again belonged to the French.

    Charles could now be crowned King of France. Joan and her
    Army escorted him to the cathedral in Reims, where he was crowned, in July 1429.
    Once he was crowned Charles decided that he ought to negotiate with the English
    and the Duke of Burgundy. Joan and her voices, however, had different ideas. She
    was determined to fight on and rid France of the English forever.

    Joan continued to fight but began to lose battles. She was
    captured by the troops of the Duke of Burgundy in 1430, at the Battle of
    Compeigne. The Duke sold her to the English. The English could not admit that a
    teenage girl had beaten them in battle. They needed to prove that she had used
    trickery, sorcery and witchcraft to do it. She was imprisoned in a dungeon and
    tortured. The English wanted her to admit that she had lied about the voices.
    They also wanted her to agree to remove the men’s clothing, which they said
    was against the Churches ruling. Joan refused and remained in prison.

    Charles no longer had any interest in Joan, she had given him
    what he wanted, the French crown. Now she was just a nuisance and an obstacle to
    him negotiating with the English. He made no attempt to rescue her or buy her
    back from the English. Joan remained in prison, growing weaker and more tired
    daily.

    She finally agreed to remove the soldiers clothing and signed
    a statement that she had been wrong. In return she was supposed to be allowed to
    visit the church. The English had lied. Remember that she could neither read nor
    write. She probably had no idea what it was that she was admitting to. She again
    insisted that the voices had been real, and put her soldiers clothing back on.
    They now had the proof they needed to have her tried and convicted of heresy and
    witchcraft. She was tried, convicted and sentenced to death. Because she was
    found guilty of being a witch, she was to be executed by fire. She was 19 years
    old.

    On May 30, 1431 she was burned at the stake. Charles did
    nothing to save her, and neither did the French people, who only shortly before
    had claimed she was a heroine. After her death Charles decided that it wasn’t
    a good idea for people to believe she had been a witch or heretic. That would
    mean that he had been wrongfully crowned. He set about having her name cleared.

    Thirty years after her death the Pope claimed she had been
    wrongly accused and that she was not guilty of any crime against the Church or
    God. She was eventually canonized in 1920, becoming St Joan. The church never
    stated whether or not her visions and the voices she heard were real. She was
    made a Saint because she was convinced that God had ordered her to do what she
    did, and she followed those orders. Her absolute faith in God and obedience of
    what she believed were His instructions are what made her a saint.


  • Papyrus


    Papyrus reeds played a very important part in the life
    of the Ancient Egyptians. This plant, found along the banks of the Nile River
    grew easily in the fertile soil, and often reached a height of as much as ten
    feet.

    It had many uses, the most well-known being in the
    production of a form of paper known as papyrus. It was also used for making
    rafts, boxes, sandals, baskets and everyday household items.

    Once the Ancient Egyptians had developed
    a form of writing    , they needed something to write on. They wrote on tablets
    of clay and walls, but neither of these was convenient for storage, nor for
    sending messages.

    No-one knows how they came up with the idea for papyrus
    paper, but they did. Making the paper took time but wasn’t difficult.

    First, they gathered the reeds from along the banks of
    the Nile. The stems were needed to make the paper. The thick outer layer of the
    stem was removed. Next, they cut long thin strips from the stem. The strips were
    full of sugar, and in order to remove some of the sugar they soaked them in
    water for about three days.

    The strips were then pounded to remove more sugar and
    laid side-by-side. Each strip slightly overlapped the one next to it. The
    remaining sugar acted like a glue, and stuck the strips together.

    A second set of strips was laid on top of the first. This
    layer was perpendicular to the first layer. They were then pounded again, to
    stick them together.

    All that remained was to dry them out. Although this
    sounds like the easiest part, it was probably the most difficult. The water
    needed to be removed, but the layers needed to be held together. They were
    probably laid between sheets of cotton, or similar absorbent material. The
    entire thing was then placed under a heavy weight.

    Once the sheets were dried, they were polished with a
    stone. Then they were ready for use.


  • Algebra Printable Worksheets


    With Algebra printable worksheets, you can easily solve boring and tedious Algebraic problems with immense ease and efficacy. In Algebra, you basically try to determine the values of unknown variables. It has often been seen that brilliant students with sharp brains find it difficult to deal with Algebraic problems because they do not have any clear conception of the fundamentals of Algebra.

    With Algebra printable worksheets, you can easily learn the art of solving Algebraic problems, which you would not be able to cope with even after some rigorous classroom sessions. In these worksheets, you will find a wide variety of Algebra problems – right from basic equations to complex polynomials. When you practice Algebra with these printable worksheets, you can quite logically and systematically apply your skill in trying to have a better grip over the subject.

    With Algebra printable worksheets, you can easily solve an equation and this is essentially the first step of learning Algebra. With these worksheets, you have a good practice of linear equations and they also help you deal with simultaneous equation and quadratic equation. These precocious printable Algebra worksheets help you solve several problems like binomial formula, exponential functions, logarithms, etc.

    Algebra is the ultimate key to several mathematical problems but for this you have to have an understanding of how a mathematical problem is converted into an Algebraic problem by representing an Algebraic formula or equation. A printable worksheet on Algebra makes you a perfect master in this case.

    The principal motto in designing Algebra printable worksheets is to make the subject more interesting and simple. These worksheets have pictorial depictions along with suitable examples. This is to give you a clearer view and a better understanding of the concept.

    Most conventional Algebra books follow a step-by-step or systematic conceptualization and the worksheets do the same. Such formulations together with a group of all-inclusive problems help students learn and progress at their own regular pace.

    If, as a guardian or teacher, you want your child/ward to be a master in Algebra, then nothing can be better than Algebra printable worksheets.

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