A Living Tomb Unearths Ancient Egypt

Fifth graders stepped into the role of historians as they immersed themselves in their study of Ancient Egypt. With the grandeur of the MET’s Egyptian exhibit fresh in their minds, students transformed their classrooms into a carefully curated Ancient Egyptian tomb, filling the space with murals, handmade artifacts, and detailed research.

Throughout the unit, students honed essential historical skills—practicing close reading, note-taking, categorizing information, and structuring their research into a multi-paragraph essay on an aspect of Egyptian life. Their deep engagement was evident in their artifact creations, each accompanied by a descriptive paragraph explaining its historical significance.

The project culminated in an interactive experience as students proudly gave tours of their classroom tomb, sharing their knowledge and craftsmanship with peers and teachers. By bringing the past to life in such a hands-on way, these young historians not only deepened their understanding of Ancient Egypt but also developed critical research and presentation skills that will serve them well in future studies.