Lesson Plan - Inside the Great Pyramid

Watch a Video
Build background knowledge by watching the video “Let’s Go to Egypt.” Ask: What does the video tell us about Egypt’s ancient civilization? Why did ancient Egyptians build pyramids?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• corridor 
• engineering

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about how modern technology can help us learn about the past.

1. What does the phrase “towered over” mean? Based on the article, why do you think the author writes that the Great Pyramid “has towered over” the Egyptian desert?
The phrase “towered over” means “was much taller or higher than other things nearby.” The author writes that the Great Pyramid has towered over the Egyptian desert because the pyramid is a massive structure that stands about 450 feet tall.
^{R.4 Determine Meaning}

2. Summarize the main ideas of the section “Building a Giant.”
The section “Building a Giant” is about the construction of the Great Pyramid. Construction began around 2550 B.C. and took two decades. It required tens of thousands of workers and involved moving more than 2 million huge stone blocks. No one knows exactly how the pyramid was built.
^{R.2 Main Idea}

3. What is one theory experts have about why the empty passage in the Great Pyramid was created?
One theory experts have is that the empty corridor may have been created to support some of the pyramid’s weight to prevent the entrance below from collapsing.
^{R.2 Key Details}

Featured Skill: Reading a Chart
Use the skill builder “Ancient Wonders” to introduce students to the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Explain that while this list focuses on structures in and near Greece, ancient civilizations in other parts of the world also built amazing structures.
^{R.7 Text Features}