Social studies is anything but dull. Social studies for kids can include lessons about history, government, economics, religion, and even psychology. Even the youngest students can benefit from fun, interactive social studies lessons designed with their needs in mind. For instance, suppose you want to teach a group of kindergarteners about Ancient Egypt. Since kindergarteners are learning to read and write, it might be fun for them to learn about how writing evolved, and about the ancient Egyptian use of hieroglyphics to communicate. (Make sure that all of the students in the class know their alphabet solidly first). At this point, you can show them pictures of ancient Egyptians, the pyramids, and the Nile; read them a story about life in Ancient Egypt; and show them how hieroglyphics were used. A fun related activity is for them to draw their own hieroglyphics that represent their names. Then you can hang them up on the classroom wall for a fun reminder of Ancient Egypt. This is just one example of how social studies for kids can draw on an array of disciplines.
If you want to conduct a lesson with older students who are ready for more in-depth social studies for kids, you might consider focusing more on one element of Egyptian society—for example, the pyramids. A good hands-on activity would be for students to build model pyramids in small groups so that they can really understand how the pyramids were constructed. You might show them a clip from a film featuring the building of the pyramids, and discuss the class dynamics of Egyptian society that allowed some people to toil endless to construct these elaborate monuments to the rulers. Such a lesson could even include a field trip to an archaeological site to learn about excavation methods. Social studies for kids can encompass a wide variety of fun, hands-on activities.
Ancient Egypt
This unit covers hieroglyphics, papyrus, mummification, the Pyramids and Sphinx, some famous Egyptians and more.
Each time you use the Internet, you need to read and write. Have you ever thought about who invented writing, and what the first kind of writing looked like? You might be very surprised to know that when writing was first invented, people didn’t use letters like our modern alphabet at all. They used pictures to show what they meant.
Papyrus 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.
The ancient Egyptians believed in the afterlife. They believed that after they died they were transported to a new life. This new life required them to have their bodies intact. Most of the things they did in this life were a preparation for the afterlife. Getting to the afterlife was the most important thing that anyone could do.
Mummification took about 70 days. It included removing, drying and storing internal organs. Wrapping of the body only happened after it had been dried out. The whole process was carried out with extreme care, as any damage to the body meant that person could not reach the afterlife.
When people talk about Egyptian pyramids the ones that spring to mind are the pyramids of Giza. Of these, the largest is the known as the Great Pyramid, or the Pyramid of Khufu. Who built it and why? What exactly did it look like?
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.
Hatshepsut was the first woman to rule Egypt as a Pharaoh. Other women had reigned as Queens, but never as a Pharaoh. The difference between a Queen or King and a Pharaoh is in their god-like status. Kings and Queens were considered as people. Pharaohs, on the other hand, were considered to be gods. Although the Egyptian Gods were numerous and included male and females gods, there had never been a female Pharaoh.
Topic Suggestions
If you are interested in a particular topic, and don’t see an article or links to it, please email us to suggest the topic. It is helpful if you can state the age range of the child requiring the information. If you see an article which isn’t age appropriate for you, you can also request a more age appropriate version.
![[DIR]](https://web.archive.org/web/20080502214714im_/https://www.learninghaven.com/icons/back.gif){kind=icon}
![[ ]](https://web.archive.org/web/20080502214714im_/https://www.learninghaven.com/icons/unknown.gif){kind=icon}
![[DIR]](https://web.archive.org/web/20080502214714im_/https://www.learninghaven.com/icons/folder.gif){kind=icon}
![[TXT]](https://web.archive.org/web/20080502214714im_/https://www.learninghaven.com/icons/text.gif){kind=icon}