www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.

Writing: Then and Now

TN State Curriculum Standards

ScienceGLE 0407.7.2 Evaluate how some earth materials can be used to solve human problems and enhance the quality of life.

Social Studies4.1.02 Discuss cultures and human patterns of places and regions of the world. (same as 5.1.02)6.5.04 Recognize the importance of agriculture, evolution of writing, education, law, and trade in the development of early civilizations.

Language ArtsGLE 0501.3.1 Write for a variety of purposes and to different audiences.

Objective

Students will compare paper to papyrus and hieroglyphs to gain an understanding of how the ancient Egyptians have infl uenced the evolution of the written record.

Instruction

1. Open discussion: Ask your students to take out a blank sheet of paper, and have them describe the paper. You might lead the discussion by asking the following questions:

What is paper made of?

Where do we go to get paper? Do we make our own or buy it at a store?

What do we use paper for?

How might we do those things if we didn’t have paper?

Science

Students will compare paper to papyrus and hieroglyphs to gain an understanding

1. Open discussion:

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P.1 / Writing: Then and Now

www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.

Instruction, cont.

2. Share the following with your students:

The English word for paper comes from the Egyptian word papyrus, which means “the material of the Pharaoh.” In ancient times, the Egyptian people did not have paper as we know it today. Instead, they developed papyrus scrolls. Papyrus scrolls are made from a freshwater reed known as Cyperus papyrus. This plant only grows in the tropical regions of Africa, including ancient Egypt. Much like wood—which we use for many different things, such as paper, furniture, and buildings—the Egyptians used papyrus not only to record information but also to make sandals, baskets, and boats. The papyrus scrolls that have survived to today often contain the ancient Egyptians’ unique form of writing known as Hieroglyphs. Hieroglyphs are pictures or symbols, some of which make up a phonetic alphabet somewhat similar to the English alphabet. These ancient papyrus scrolls can tell us a lot about life in ancient Egypt, from religious beliefs and rituals to politics.

Assessment & Additional Sources

1. On a sheet of paper, have each student write his/her name in English and in hieroglyphs (see additional sources).

2. Next, ask your students to write a paragraph:

listing the three most important facts they learned about papyrus or modern paper.

imagining what life might be like without paper or papyrus. How does writing make our lives better or easier?

See Also: Parkinson, Richard and Stephen Quirke. Papyrus. (Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1995). For information on papyrus manufacturing: http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/ egypt/dailylife/papyrus.html Hieroglyphs worksheet: http://greatscott.com/down/write.pdf

Materials:

Paper Pencil Hieroglyphs Worksheet

2. Share the following with your students:

1. On a sheet of paper, have each student write his/her name in English and in hieroglyphs

Paper

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P.2 / Writing: Then and Now