Introduction

With the fast paced growth of internet technology, students will enjoy seeing ancient cultures come to life in images, activities, and sound.  Isis Rising and Counting is an internet website that provides information and interactions by the use of Egyptian numerals to perform math computations and learn about Egyptian culture.  This site introduces Egyptian math to students via two Egyptian characters, Isis and her son Horus, in a holistic teaching approach with directed and engaged learning that combines basic learning skills with the fun of internet activities.
 

Aim
 

Describe an ancient Egyptian number system to intermediate and upper level elementary students.  Learn to use the Egyptian number system to reinforce and enrich skills such as place valuing and regrouping for addition and subraction in our Arabic decimal number system.  Like our number system, many ancient number systems, including Egyptian numbers, were based on counting ten fingers on the hands.  It is easy for students to understand regrouping ones into tens and so on when they see the change in Egyptian symbol after nine ones, 9 hundreds and 9 thousands and so on.  It seems to give them a clearer picture of regrouping when they see 10 tally marks or symbols exchanged for one ten -picture-symbol.  Students should also enjoy gaining additional information as they explore the various websites with live pictures, authentic sites, and sometimes sound to enhance reading and social studies.
 

Rationale

Students usually enjoy exploring a different number system like Roman Numerals, and should also enjoy exploring the Egyptian Numerals.  They will also get a chance to compare, Arabic, Roman, and Egyptian number systems.  Students will be able to work alone or as a team on directed and engaged learning activities that can be experienced only on the web.  Some sites are in places that most students will never visit, but through the World Wide Web they can see hundreds of ancient sites, visit famous museums, and communicate with students around the world in Kids Clubs message rooms.
 

Goals and Objectives

After completing the exercises using Egyptian Numerals, students should be able to:

    .  perform basic math operations with Egyptian numerals on fun website activities
    .  recognize Egyptian numerals by symbol and its corresponding Arabic counting number
    .  calculate amounts in addition, subtraction, and simple multiplication
    .  exercise critical thinking skills with word problems and simple tasks
    .  explore the varied aspects of Egyptian culture through games, puzzles, stories, tours and artifacts
       by use of websites
 

Audience

Intermediate and upper elementary students (4th to 8th grades)
 

Prerequisites

Students should understand place value, be able to add and subtract and use regrouping skills. Some multiplication skills would help, but are not necessary to multiply in Egyptian math.   Students should also have knowledge of basic computer skills such as use of the mouse, scroll bars, and buttons for back, top of page, and home.  Thirty to forty minute work periods are suggested;  however, students should work at their own pace on games and tours.
 

Subject Matter

The material in this website describes Egyptian numerals and math calculations along with stories, games, and tours to provide background on Egyptian culture and to enrich reading and social studies skills.  Resources from the Oriental Institute and various childrens' websites on the internet that cover ancient and modern Egypt are utilized.
 

Instructional Plan

Teachers should preview the introduction to provide students with background and go over the symbols and numbers with their students before students begin.

    .  students are given background and material about hieroglyphs in the
       introduction.  Pictures and explanations on the writing of Egyptian
       numbers and the counting of numbers are presented.

    .  students should complete the six lessons and self-quizes that are
       included in the Reference section under Egyptian Numerals and
       Egyptian Math Problems.  Ages have been added to give teachers
       and students appropriate math problems for their instructional levels.

    .  stories, games, and tours complete the site and can be visited at the
       students' pleasure.
 

Materials

computers with internet access, pencil and paper for computation and recall of Egyptian symbols and names
(Some stories and games require real player, quicktime, or shockwave for optimum benefits and viewer pleasure.)
 

Assessments and Evaluation

Acitivities are included that direct students to math lessons and self-testing.  Answers for the six lessons and quizes for 9 to 12 year olds can be accessed at the bottom of the lessons  pages.  The lessons and quizes encourage recall, recognition, and performance of basic math operations.  They also encourage critical thinking to solve word problems and to answer the Rosetta Stone quiz along with other games and activities in the site.

Illinois State Goals that are satisfied in this curriculum:  # 1,2,5,6,8,9,17,& 18.
 

Resources (click)