Subject: Social Studies

Topic: Egypt - Introduction

Outcomes: Students will be able to find Egypt on a map and have a basic understanding of the land and the roll the Nile River plays in making the land habitable.

Background:  Egypt is known as the "Gift of the Nile" because without the Nile the land would be arid and un inhabitable.

Learning Activities: 1.  Given a map of Africa, students will answer the following questions:

-What ocean borders the east coast of Africa?

-The _________ Sea lies to the north of Africa.

-On the northeast of Africa you can find the _______________ Sea.

-The _____________ Ocean is west of Africa.

-The world's longest river is found in Africa.  What is it called? In which direction does it flow?

-In which direction does the Congo River flow?

-In which direction would you travel to get to Egypt from Europe?

-In which direction would you travel to get to Egypt from Asia?

2.  Deserts cover 96% of Egypt.  Give each student a 10x10 grid.  Have them color four squares green; then color the rest brown.  The green represents the part of Egypt that is not desert.  the brown represents the part of Egypt that is desert.

Direct each student to make a key that explains the colors.

3.  For homework, have student research why Africa is often called the "Dark Continent".