This class is designed to accompany the study of ancient Egypt

HIEROGLYPHS

Ages: 3rd - 8th grade

Thoth,

God of wisdom

& scribes

Objective:

The students experience the art of hieroglyphic writing by using materials similar to those used by the ancient Egyptians.  The skills needed to draw and write with the reed pen enable the students to empathize with the scribe.  Students can recognize many characters when they look at hieroglyphs in the future.

For more information check out:

http://www.neferchichi.com/hieroglyphs.html

http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aes/t/the_rosetta_stone.aspx

The following topics are presented:

1. •  The origin of the writing system and meaning of the characters
   

2. •  The value and work of the life of a scribe
   

3. •  The discovery and importance of the Rosetta Stone
   

4. •  The origin of the materials: papyrus, reed pens and inks
   

5. •  How to translate names into hieroglyphs using a phonetic alphabet
   

Art Activity:

Students learn to write their names on practice paper with a “reed” pen.  When they are confident, they are given a piece of real papyrus to create a cartouche (name plate.)  The border is decorated with colored inks.