Lesson plan based on Mummy Case

Identify and compare ancient Egyptian and contemporary symbols of rebirth and renewal.

Skills and Focus: Cultural Comparisons, Writing

Subject Area: Social Science

Thematic Connection: The Afterlife, Signs and Symbols

Grade Level: Middle School

Time Needed: 40 minutes

Objectives

• Identify Egyptian symbols of rebirth in the afterlife.

• Compare and contrast ancient Egyptian and modern symbols of rebirth and renewal.

Instructional Materials Needed

Story: What Is On the Mummy Case?

mummycase

chart

Activity

This mummy case is decorated with symbols to ensure that the soul of the mummified person inside it would be reborn in the afterlife. Explore the meaning of the case’s gold face, the winged scarab beetle, and the green face of Osiris, god of the afterlife. Ask students to explain how these signs and symbols would help Paankhenamun, whose mummy is inside the case, be safely reborn in the afterlife. In the chart below, have students illustrate and write about a few of today’s symbols of rebirth and renewal (e.g., holidays, seasons, customs), then compare and contrast them to those on this mummy case.

Goals

This activity meets Illinois State Goal 16: Understand and analyze events, trends, individuals and movements shaping other nations.

Symbol:	Meaning:
Symbol:	Meaning:
Symbol:	Meaning:
Symbol:	Meaning:

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