Make History: Ancient Egypt (Make History)

We checked out every Egyptian craft book from our library for a homeschool unit (grade 5, and this was among the top 3 that we actually used. The projects in this book are not cute crafts like in many of the other books; they can be used to really help understand the history. Our favorite project in this book was the "corn husk ball." The ball core is made out of corn husks, wrapped with twine, and covered with felt sections that are sewn together (we used leather for a more authentic ball). I love that the book makes an attempt to replicate actual objects while still using readily available materials. I gave it only 4 stars because the book is really just the projects without much background information or examples of the original projects these might be based on. Other projects include: a paper-mache mummy, a wall frieze, beaded collar, sandpaper pyramid (this would be a great model for a report, it opens so you can look inside), tools of the scribe, a papyrus reed boat (this is the best model boat design I have seen, it gives an idea of the challenges Egyptians would have faced, as well as the actual construction of tying the bundles of reeds together), a scarab seal, a sistrum, a royal cartouche, a paddle doll, and King Tut's headdress. Most of the projects in this book would be best suited to kids 9 to 12, although older kids interested in Egypt could still find value in it. Younger kids would most likely need some assistance. My 7 year-old did many of the projects with us and did need help (he lost interest in sewing the ball pieces together and tying the reed bundles of the boat), but enjoyed the end results. For anyone looking for additional resources that are more than toilet paper tube arm cuffs and construction paper collars, I suggest you also try: Great Ancient Egypt Projects You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself series; [[ASIN:0471290068 Spend the Day in Ancient Egypt: Projects and Activities That Bring the Past to Life (Spend The Day Series; and if cooking is your thing, [[ASIN:0313332045 C... is awesome (but pricey), especially if you will also be studying other ancients like the Greeks and Romans. We held a "feast day" at the end of our unit and the kids loved the food! They are now asking for these recipes again!