Engaging with Ancient Civilizations Through Creativity
Igniting the Passion for Learning Through Exploration

The unfurling papyrus scrolls records the legends of Egyptian gods; the pyramid's apex glimmers with the light of wonder, and the annual flooding Nile brings hope for new growth. The brilliant civilization of ancient Egypt, with its enduring charm, attracts people to explore the mysteries across millennia. After two months of Egyptian history learning, Grade 6 students used their skillful hands and boundless creativity to build an "Exhibition of Egyptian Civilization," paying tribute to this monumental achievement in the history of civilization.

During the project-based learning on ancient Egypt, students transformed into "Viziers" - the highest officials in ancient Egypt, second only to the Pharaoh, answering the Pharaoh's call by completing an important mission for the kingdom. Their tasks included drawing maps of Egypt, building temple or pyramid models, designing posters for Egyptian gods, writing pharaoh news reports and creating Egypt themed board games. Students in S+ level were tasked with the all-important mission of replicating a famous Pharaoh's tomb and making it come to life! They re-created incredible tombs from historical Pharaohs and then posed as an archeologist who "discovered" this tomb. Through these diverse forms of learning and inquiry, they expressed their deepening understanding of one of history's most remarkable civilizations. After weeks of dedicated effort, their works, full of students' inspiration and handcrafted efforts, are now displayed on the fifth floor of Hsi Building D section.

From Brainstorming to Creative Craftsmanship: Understanding Ancient Egypt through Hands-On Creation

The first step of this project was brainstorming. Students selected tasks that matched their interests and strengths, choosing either one 100-point task or two fifty-point tasks. They can challenge themselves by making models, showcase their artistic talents by designing posters, or compose stories, journals, or news reports. Some students interested in architecture selected pyramid or temple themes; those fond of Egyptian mythology begin considering which gods to focus on; students curious about Egyptian hieroglyphics prepare comparison charts with the English alphabet, planning to write a historical account in ancient Egyptian script. During class discussions, the history teachers conversed with each student, learning about their ideas and offering suggestions to help them prepare.

On the project workday, the classroom turned into a workshop. Students brought various materials: their historical research and reference on one hand, and craft supplies like cardboard, foam, clay, LEGO bricks, and markers on the other. They focused on their hands-on crafting, exchanged ideas with classmates, and revised their sketches. Models and posters gradually took shape, each piece containing their understanding and interpretation of ancient Egypt.

Interactive Gallery Walk: Seeing Each Other, Inspiring One Another

After completion, outstanding works were showcased in an exhibition on the fifth floor of Building D. During lunch breaks, students visited the gallery, not just as observers, but as active participants. Holding colorful sticky notes, they left feedback next to their favorite works: "Your mummification steps diagram is amazing!" "This pyramid model looks so realistic!" "The 3D printing is really cool!" Works such as a model featuring the Eye of Horus, a sandbox map of the Nile River, an intricately designed pyramid interior, and a clear, illustrated guide to mummification, all covered in "praise notes" became the most popular exhibits.

These small sticky notes conveyed not only encouragement from peers but also sparked cross-class learning and dialogue. Various Egypt themed board games also attracted many students to participate. They used their historical knowledge to answer questions and progress through the games, thoroughly enjoying playing games. Laughter and exclamations filled the exhibition area as students' creativity was seen and appreciated. This exhibition brought students together as fellow explorers of ancient Egyptian civilization, fostering learning and inspiration through communication and collaboration.

Research · Exploration · Creation: Paving the Way for Future Learning

During this project-based learning experience, students combined their personal interests with active inquiry and experienced the joy of learning history. They learned to observe a civilization from multiple perspectives and to express their insights in various ways. During researching and hands-on making, they gained a deeper understanding of how ancient Egyptians used architecture and writing to record history, how they perceived the cycle of life from the annual flooding of the Nile, and how they survived and thrived on this fertile land with wisdom and hard work.

This project went far beyond replicating the past. The students' works are a dialogue across millennia with Egyptian civilization, a vivid demonstration of their learning outcomes and a practice of their creativity. Our goal is that this curiosity about history and spirit of exploration for history accompany students throughout their learning journey, empowering them to unlock more secrets of civilization in the future and guide them towards a broader world!

Excellent Works of the Grade

Based on teachers and student feedback, the following students' projects have been selected as excellent works. Congratulations to all award-winners!

S Level Students:

6(2) Emma, 6(3) Liam, 6(3) Tiffany, 6(3) Kelly, 6(3) Ashley, 6(1) Qiaoqiao, 6(2) Cynthia, 6(4) April, 6(4) Steven,6(8) Raymond, 6(10) Joyce, 6(10) Victoria, 6(13) Rody, 6(5) Ellie, 6(8) Aaron, 6(8) Doris, 6(13) Ryan, 6(12) Evelyn, 6(9) Cici, 6(9) Lynda, 6(7) Coco, 6(6) Brayden, 6(6) Vicky, 6(6) Aiden, 6(6) Aaron, 6(4)Shirley, 6(12) David, 6(7) Allen, 6(8) Chen Chun

S+ Level Students:

6(1) Eudora, 6(4) Luna, 6(4) Aslan, 6(12) Mia, 6(12) Sylvia, 6(1) Ryan, 6(12) Zoey, 6(11) Jingya, 6(8) Alisa, 6(8) Sophia, 6(11) Mirabelle, 6(9) James, 6(9) Alice, 6(11) Aiden, 6(11) Cassandra, 6(11) Gordon, 6(3) Lawrence, 6(3) Angela, 6(4) Elena, 6(4) Michelle, 6(10) Jeslyn, 6(10) Matthew, 6(13) Kailyn, 6(9) Frank, 6(13) Nuoyi, 6(13) Shannon, 6(11) Audrey, 6(4) Ryan, 6(6) Ten, 6(7) Doris, 6(9) Janet, 6(9) Alex, 6(5) Anthony, 6(5) Sherrie, 6(5) Euston, 6(5) Angela, 6(5) Fiona

(Written by Chen Liu

Pictures by Ginger Xu, Chen Liu

Reviewed by Yunuo Li, Jacob Newman, Shiyu Wu, Louie Parker)