Exploring The Field Chaperone Guide

EXPLORING CULTURES

Grade Level Ideal for 6th-8th grade Appropriate for ages 10-15

Exhibitions Tibet

Inside Ancient Egypt Time 1 hour

Overview In this exploration students will investigate the material culture from two different geographical locations: Egypt and Tibet, during two different time periods: 5000 BCE – 30 BCE (Ancient Egypt) and the early 1900s (Tibet). Students will then make inferences about each culture’s environment and daily life based on their observations of artifacts.

Guiding Questions What are characteristics of artifacts from Ancient Egypt (5000 BCE – 30 BCE)? What are characteristics of artifacts from Tibet in the early 1900s? What connections can be made between a culture’s material objects and its environment?

Key Words Artifact - an object that was made by people in the past Climate - the usual weather conditions in a particular place or region Environment - the physical and biological conditions that surround someone or something

Connections to Standards Illinois State Standards for Social Sciences 17.C.3a: Explain how human activity is affected by geographic factors. Common Core State Standards for Literacy WHST.6-8.7: Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.

Trip Tip: When students first enter an exhibition, encourage them to look around freely before asking them to concentrate on completing this guide. Becoming familiar with their learning space will help students focus.

2

EXPLORING CULTURES Chaperone Guide

MAP Exhibitions:

Tibet (Upper Level) Inside Ancient Egypt (Main Level)

If you have extra time, visit these related exhibitions:

The Ancient Americas (Main Level) Hall of Jades (Upper Level)

3

EXPLORING CULTURES Chaperone Guide

Tibet

Egypt

Trip Tip: Encourage students to find Egypt and Tibet on the map in the exhibition. The answers are to the left to help you guide them.

Trip Tip: Before you begin, find a bench or a spot on the floor. Give students an overview of this activity and ask them the Think questions.

Guiding Question: What materials were used to make the artifacts? What do these materials tell you about the environment?

4

EXPLORING CULTURES Chaperone Guide

Trip Tip: If anyone in your group is unable to walk up and down stairs, follow signs for the handicap exits and entrances that will lead to an elevator.

Location Tip: The entrance to Inside Ancient Egypt is located on the Main Level. A set of stairs inside the exhibition will lead you to the Ground Level, which contains the Mummy Room and Egyptian Marketplace.

Trip Tip: Find a quiet spot in the Museum to discuss the Share and Compare ideas or ask students to answer these questions when they return to school.

Guiding Question: What do the modes of transportation you observed today tell you about the environment?

EXPLORING CULTURES Student Guide NAME _______________________________________

Think (before you explore) Have you ever traveled to or watched a movie that took place in a different country? What was everyday life like there? Was it different than your life? At The Field Museum you will learn about life in Tibet and Ancient Egypt.

Observe and Explain (in the exhibition) – Part A Travel to Tibet on the Upper Level and label both Tibet and Egypt on the modern-day map. Hint: Check out the map in the exhibition.

Observe and Explain (in the exhibition) – Part B Looking at artifacts in the Tibet exhibition, complete the chart below. Draw, label, and describe an artifact in each category. Clothing and

Jewelry Food Transportation Spiritual Artifacts

Tibe

t (Ea

rly 1

900s

)

Observe and Explain (in the exhibition) – Part C Travel to Inside Ancient Egypt on the Main Level. After you walk through the tomb, explore the Egyptian Marketplace and complete the chart below. Draw, label, and describe an artifact in each category. Clothing and

Jewelry Food Transportation Spiritual Artifacts

Anc

ient

Egy

pt

(500

0 BC

E –

30 B

CE)

Share and Compare (after you explore) In small groups, discuss your observations and then answer the following questions: 1. Tibet has a cold climate. Of the Tibetan artifacts you observed at The Field Museum, which would help the people of Tibet live in a cold environment?

2. Egypt has a hot, dry climate. Of the Egyptian artifacts you observed at The Field Museum, which would help the people of Ancient Egypt live in a hot, dry environment?

3. Nomads are people who move constantly to find the resources they need. Settlers are people who live in one place where resources are plentiful. What type of lifestyle do you think the Ancient Egyptians had, nomadic or settled? What artifacts or evidence support your idea?