Tennessee state museum- N A S H V I L L E
Egyptian Vocabulary
TN State Standards
1.06 Expand reading vocabulary.
5.1.spi.6. recognize and use grade appropriate vocabulary within context.
6.1.spi 6. use context clues, dictionaries, thesauruses, electronic sources, and
glossaries as aids in determining the meanings of unfamiliar words.
7.1.spi.2. determine the meaning of unknown words and/or multiple meaning
words through the use of context clues.
7.1.spi.10. recognize and use grade appropriate and/or content specific vocabulary
within context.
7.1.spi.24. recognize and identify words within context that reveal particular time
periods and cultures.
8.1.spi.10. recognize and use grade appropriate and/or content specific
vocabulary.
8.1.spi.22. recognize and identify words within context that reveal particular time
periods and cultures.
Objectives
The Learners Will (TLW) identify, recognize, and be able to illustrate the definitions and
concepts of vocabulary associated with ancient Egyptian culture.
Introduction
When we talk or hear about ancient Egypt there are always certain words and pictures that
come to mind. What kind of things do you usually think about when someone says, “Egypt?”
Since we are going to go to an exhibit to learn about Egypt’s past, today we are going to go
over some of the vocabulary that we might encounter there. This way we will all have a
common definition from which to work.
P.1 / Egyptian Vocabulary Lesson
www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.
Tennessee state museum- N A S H V I L L E
Procedures
The Teacher Will (TTW) either write or project on the board the included list of Egyptian vocabulary words and their definitions for the students to see.
The Class Will (TCW) discuss them briefly one at a time. This early in the lesson,
you don’t want to influence the pictures the students imagine for each word, so for
now simply read the words, pronunciation, and definitions aloud with the students.
Next TTW erase the words on the board and hand out the vocabulary word and
definition cards at random, one card to each student. (This works for 24 students, you may need to give some students two or have some students partner up if you have a
different number of kids.) TLW then move about the room to find the student that has
a matching card (vocabulary word to definition).
While the students are looking for their match, TTW place the vocabulary pictures
on the walls around the room.
Once students have found their match, have them place the matching pair on the
picture that best shows their word and definition (if your class can handle it, you can make this activity a race). Once all the words are placed correctly, TTW go around to each picture and read the words and definition to the class, and have the class decide
if that word does indeed match the picture correctly.
After all the matching pairs have been found and agreed upon, TTW hand out the
attached crossword puzzle for the students to complete independently.
Closing
TTW verbally quiz the students by giving them vocabulary words and having them provide a
correct definition in their own words.
Possible Modifications
You may have the students create their own picture dictionary where they have to
draw a picture for each word from what they imagine when they hear the word.
Have the students draw vocabulary cards at random and give a definition or word
(in a spelling bee style).
P.2 / Egyptian Vocabulary Lesson
www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.
Tennessee state museum- N A S H V I L L E
Materials
One set of vocabulary word and definition cards
One set of clip art pictures
Class set of crossword puzzles
Egyptian Vocabulary
Dynasty – A sequence of rulers from a single family or group
Hieroglyphic – a form of writing where pictures or symbols are used to represent sounds,
objects, or ideas
Pharaoh – “Great House” used to refer to the king of Egypt beginning in the New Kingdom
Obelisk – a tall, tapered, rectangular pillar with a pyramidal top
Mastaba – a rectangular tomb made with mud brick and having a flat top and tapered sides
Mummy – a body dried, preserved, and wrapped for burial
Pyramid – a large tomb built with a square base and four triangular sides meeting in a point
Scarab – a type of desert dung beetle that symbolized renewal of life
Sarcophagus – stone containers made to hold the dead or wooden coffins for the dead
Cartouche – a length of rope shaped like a lasso to encircle the name of a pharaoh
Canopic Jars – the stone or pottery jars used to hold the internal organs of a mummy
Amulets – good luck charms worn in daily life and placed in the wrappings of mummies
P.3 / Egyptian Vocabulary Lesson
www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.
Sarcophagus
Jars
(Kuh-NA-pick)
Canopic
(sar-KAH-fa-gus)
www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.
The stone or pottery jars used
to hold the internal organs
of a mummy
Stone containers made to hold
the dead or wooden coffins
for the dead
(PEER-a-mid)
A large tomb built with a square
base and four triangular sides
meeting at a point
Pyramid
(MAS-teh-beh)
Mastaba
(FAIR-oh)
Pharaoh
(DIE-neh-stee)
Dynasty
www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.
A rectangular tomb made with
mud brick and having a flat top
and tapered sides
Term used to refer to the
king of Egypt
A sequence of rulers from a
single family or group
(AM-you-lets)
www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.
Good luck charms worn in daily
life and placed in the wrappings
of mummies
Amulets
(car-TOOSH)
A length of rope shaped like a
lasso to encircle the name of
a pharaoh
A type of desert dung beetle
that symbolized the renewal
of life
Cartouche
(SKA-rub)
Scarab
(MUM-mee)
Mummy
(AH-be-lisk)
Obelisk
(high-row-GLIF-ik)
Hieroglyphic
www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.
A body dried, preserved, and
wrapped for burial
A tall, tapered, rectangular pillar
with a pyramidal top
A form of writing where pictures
or symbols are used to represent
sounds, objects, or ideas
2
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6. A tall, tapered, rectangular pillar with
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9. A large tomb built with a square base
and four triangular sides meeting in
a point
DOWN
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8. A rectangular tomb made with mud brick
and having a flat top and tapered sides
10. A body dried, preserved, and wrapped
for burial
11. Good luck charms worn in daily life and
placed in the wrappings of mummies
12. A term used to refer to the king of Egypt
www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.
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www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.
www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.
www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.
www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.
www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.
www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.
www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.
www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.
www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.
www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.
www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.
www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.
www.tnmuseum.org / Lesson plans provided by the Tennessee State Museum.