Do you see what I see?

Emily Domeyer, Sharon Snyder, Susie Vondranhttp://www.gusd120.k12.il.us/middle/

What is an Interdisciplinary Unit?

Science/Math

Social Studies

Literature

English

Interdisciplinary InstructionApplying knowledge, principles, and values to

more than one academic discipline simultaneously

Thematic unit: framework with goals/outcomes that specify what students are expected to learn

Curriculum IntegrationAt Galena Middle School we have integrated

the curriculum of Math, Science, Social studies, English and Literature for our Ancient Egyptian Cross-Curricular Unit

Applications of LearningSolving Problems

Recognize and investigate problems; formulate and propose solutions supported by reason and evidence

CommunicatingExpress and interpret information and ideas

Using TechnologyUse appropriate instruments, electronic

equipment, computers and networks to access information, process ideas and communicate results

Applications of Learning (cont..)Working on Teams

Learn and contribute productivity as individuals and as members of groups

Making ConnectionsRecognize and apply connections of important

information and ideas within and among learning areas

Ancient Egypt: The Social Studies Point of ViewOver-arching GoalsThe students will:understand the geographical and historical

setting of the Ancient Egyptian civilization.explore the important aspects of Ancient

Egyptian daily life.be able to identify important religious traditions

and understand the concept of polytheism in Ancient Egypt.

apply the mathematical and scientific advancements of Ancient Egypt to modern life.

be able to identify and understand the major historical events and figures of Ancient Egypt.

Ancient Egypt: The Social Studies Point of ViewActivities and ProjectsSocial Class Calendar

Each class makes a calendar of 12 months Students will draw a picture and write a sentence that

accurately depicts specified aspects of a social class’s daily life.Hieroglyphics Treasure Map

Read a treasure map written in hieroglyphics to lead to the buried mummified chickens!

Mummification Process Study the mummification process and make a list of things to

bring to the afterlifeCartouches

Make Egyptian cartouches to wear at the Egypt Fair

Ancient Egypt: The Social Studies Point of ViewExpeditionary LearningGalena Public Library

Research topics for Egypt Fair display and research paperPutnam Museum and IMAX theater

View Mystery of the Nile at the IMAX theater See real Egyptian mummies Participate in a museum scavenger hunt Learn how scientists today determine information about Egypt Mummies

Culminating ActivityEgypt Fair

Each student makes a display about an Ancient Egypt topic Make life-size stuffed mummies to decorate the commons Each student dresses up like an Egyptian Invite other classes, parents ,and community members to see the

displays

Ancient Egypt:The Science Point of View:

MeasurementAncient Egyptians kept track of time by

developing clocks and calendars.They used water clocks and sundials.They looked to the stars to help them

measure time and direction.They invented a 365-day calendar.

Measurement ProjectsMaking a Sundial http://www1.eere.energy.gov/kids/

roofus/printable_version/sundial.html

http://media.skyandtelescope.com/documents/sundial_n+.pdf

Making a Water Clock http://hea-www.harvard.edu/ECT/t

he_book/Chap3/Chapter3.htm http://www.pbs.org/weta/roughsci

ence/discover/waterquality.html#clock

Ancient Egypt:The Science Point of View: Mummification/MedicineThe Egyptians learned a lot about human anatomy

from embalming and mummifying their dead.They developed knowledge about common ailments

and diseases through autopsies.Scribes recorded a list of more than 200 illnesses.Some Egyptian doctors were specialists and

performed surgeries, setting broken bones and using anesthetics.

They also practiced reconstructive surgery.

Mummification ProjectsVideo: Reading Rainbow

Mummies Made in Egypt, based on the book of the same name by Aliki.

Mummifying apple slicesMummifying a chicken

Ancient Egypt: The Math Point of ViewLearn about parts of a pyramid

Shapes in a pyramid 4 Triangles Square

Base Apex Height Side length

Calculate surface area of a pyramid Area of a square = length x width Area of a triangle = ½bh Surface Area of a Pyramid = (Area of square) + 4(Area of

triangle)

Ancient Egypt: The Math Point of ViewMeasuring

Measure amounts for mummifying chickens and applesUsing Egyptian Number Symbols

Practice Math the Egyptian Way!Add, Subtract, Multiply and Divide with Egyptian

number symbols

English / Language Arts state goals1) Read with understanding and fluency

Apply word analysis and vocabulary skills for comprehension

Apply reading strategies to improve understanding & fluencyComprehend a broad range of reading materials

2) Read and understand literature representative of various societies, eras and ideasUnderstand how literary elements and techniques are used to convey meaningRead and interpret a variety of literary works

Ancient Egypt: The English Point of View

3) Write to communicate for a variety of purposes

Use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization and structure

Compose well-organized and coherent writing for specific purposes and audiences.

Communicate ideas in writing to accomplish a variety of purposes

4) Listen and speak effectively in a variety of situations• Listen effectively in formal and informal situations

Speak effectively using language appropriate to the situation and audience

5) Use the language arts to acquire, assess and communicate informationLocate, organize, and use information from various

sources to answer questions, solve problems and communicate ideas

Analyze and evaluate information acquired from various sources

Apply acquired information, concepts and ideas to communicate in a variety of formats.

Research Information GatheringStudents come to English with their assigned

topic based on the Social Studies curriculumWeek long team teaching to accumulate

information - the district librarian and myself Use the middle school library resources Use online resources

Visit to the Galena Public Library Presentation from the public library librarian Presentation from a retired writing consultant Use resources at the public library

Ancient Egypt: The English Point of View

Research writingUse laptop lab to write rough draft

Peer editing with other students researching the same topic

Student led writing conferences with English and Social Studies teachers

Revise and Edit as neededIllustrate and print a final draftOral presentations to the classDisplay at the Egypt Fair – students are prepared to

answer questions from parents, community members and other grades attending

Ancient Egypt: The English Point of View

Ancient Egypt:The Spelling Point of ViewWe do not use a spelling book.Students are given a word list each Monday.We choose 10 words from the novel we are

reading.We also choose 3 science, 3 social studies, 2

English, and 2 math words each week.We have a list of activities for the students to

use in working with the words.

Daily

Assignments in

SpellingMonday: Definitions for Literature words

Tuesday: 10 sentences

Wednesday: High Five assignment

Thursday: High Five assignment

Friday: Spelling and Vocabulary test

High Five Assignment Choices A. Spell Down

Choose 5 words and make a spell down with each word like the example below, all of the words must connect with the original word.

B. Spell Mail Illustrate and write a postcard. You must use 10 spelling words in the

message or on the address of the postcard.

C. Alphabetical Write out all of the words in alphabetical order. Then write all of them

in backwards alphabetical order. (A to Z, then Z to A)

D. Syllable Spelling Using a dictionary, break down all of the words by syllables. Example: 0-pen

High Five Assignment Choices E. Story Spelling

Write and illustrate a story using at least 10 of the spelling words.

F. Fantasy Spelling Write a fairy tale or a myth using at least 10 words from your list in their

correct context. May be kind of silly!

G. Spelling Ad Write and illustrate an advertisement for a newspaper or magazine using

10 spelling words.

H. Guide Words Use the dictionary to list the guide words given for 10 spelling words. On

your paper write the spelling word and then the two guide words below it.

I. Similes and Metaphors Write comparisons using similes or metaphors for 5 spelling words.

Ancient Egypt:The Literature Point of ViewThree of the four (Special Education, low and middle

readers) academically grouped students in the Sixth Grade use The Egypt Game as a whole class novel. Each student has a copy of the book. Focus is on the Illinois State standards

Plot and summary analysis Major themes Story and other literary elements Figurative Language

The fourth group, the G.A.T.E. group, does The Egypt Game as a read aloud. This takes place the first 15 minutes each day, depending on the length of the chapters read.Students listen and write questions as the instructor reads.The next day we begin with the questions from the day

before.Each student also chooses a novel, with Ancient

Egypt as the theme, in their personal reading “zone” (as established by the “STAR” test and their lexile score from MAP testing). Students keep “Novel Notes” as they read Students “Flag & Tag” as they read.

Once a week groups meet to discuss plot and summary analysis, major themes, story and other literary elements, and figurative language

Flag It & Tag It SymbolsWOW WOW word

Explain why you like it? Don’t know what this word means.

Write what you think it means by using context clues.

Personal connection. How is this word connected to your life?

! Important word to know! Explain why you think it is important.

F L Figurative Language Record the phrase; identify the type of figurative

language. i.e. idiom, metaphor, simile