Lesson plan based on Mummy Case
Calculate the size of a mummy case and its contents using ancient Egyptian measurements.
Skills and Focus: Measuring, Calculation
Subject Area: Mathematics
Thematic Connection: Counting and Calculating
Grade Level: Middle School
Time Needed: 90 minutes
Objectives:
• Practice measuring in different systems.
• Convert between different measuring systems.
Instruction Materials Needed
21" strip of stiff cardboard (about 2" wide)
3/4" digit and 3" palm templates
Felt-tipped pen
Yardstick or meter stick
Construction paper (or packing paper in one meter wide rolls)
Egyptian number chart:
Activity
Step 1: Students can make cubit measuring sticks by marking the cardboard strips in 3/4" intervals (digits) and 3" intervals (palms). Every fourth digit mark should be made more prominent (longer and darker) to mark a palm. Mark the palms on the ruler in Egyptian numbers.
Step 2: Mark out the size of the mummy case on a piece of construction paper (length = 3 cubits, 1 span, 1 digit; width = 5 palms, 1 digit). Measure the size of the mummy case using the meter or yard stick.
Step 3: Have students work in pairs to trace their own outlines (lying with hands at their sides and legs together) on construction paper. Use the cubit ruler to measure the height and width across the shoulders of each student. Cut out the images and see how they fit into the mummy case.
Critical Thinking Ask students to
• compare the cutouts to the x—ray image of Paankhenamun and determine whether the cutouts fit into the case and, if so, how snugly.
Goals
This activity meets Illinois State Goal 6: Demonstrate and apply a knowledge and sense of numbers, including basic arithmetic operations, number patterns, ratios, and proportions.
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