EGYPTIAN FAIRY TALE

TITLE: THE SALT TRADER'S JUSTICE


NOTE TO TEACHERS:
This page is designed to help teachers use the internet as a teaching tool. The activities in this page are geared towards upper-level elementary school children, and have two functions. The first is to help students gain greater insight into the culture of Ancient Egypt, and the second is to help students better understand the Judicial Branch of American government. The fairy tale "The Salt Trader's Justice" can be used as a springboard for either focus.


OBJECTIVES:
After finishing the exercises, the students should be able to:


BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Egypt has an incredibly rich history, and many amazing links can be found on the web that either teachers or students can explore to gain a firmer understanding of Egyptian culture. It is suggested that students be encouraged to explore these links as part of the class activities. Below are a set of links to Egyptian sites, and a set of links to American judiciary sites. Click on a link to view that site.

EGYPTIAN SITES JUDICIAL SITES

Ancient Egypt

Judicial Branch

Color Tour of Egypt

Supreme Court Information

Guardian's Egypt

News From Dept. Of Justice


PRE-READING ACTIVITY:
Depending on computer availability, have the students visit Egypt pages on the web. If computers are not available, provide pictures of pyramids and ancient Egyptian artifacts for the students to observe. Ask the students if anyone knows anything about ancient Egypt. Unless there are Egyptian students in the class, chances are they will not. Ask the students if anyone knows how many people it took to build the pyramids. Explain the enormous magnitude of this task to them in terms that they will understand, using examples that they can relate to. Use this discussion as a springboard into reading "The Salt Trader's Justice".

OR

Ask the students about the Supreme Court, and what the function of the Judicial Branch of government is in America. A good way to begin might be to ask a series of questions pertaining to the Judicial Branch in true/false format, and have the students respond to the questions. Use this discussion as a springboard into reading "The Salt Trader's Justice"


ACTIVITIES:

  • Begin by having students read The Salt Trader's Justice .

  • FOR A LESSON ON EGYPTIAN CULTURE:
    Ask if any students in the class are Egyptian or have Egyptian heritage. If so, and if these students have any artifacts that can be used as visual aids, have them bring these articles in for the class to observe. Bring in pictures of pyramids and ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and art for the students to look at. Use these visual aids to stimulate discussion regarding Egyptian practices, customs, and traditions.

    • Discuss the ritual of mummification. Ask the students what their reaction to this process is. Compare it to the more "traditional" practices of burial and cremation. Discuss the cultural significance of mummification.
    • Have the students reflect on the culture, customs, and rituals of ancient Egypt through a writing exercise.

    FOR A LESSON ON THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM:

    • Have students draw parallels between the ancient Egyptian legal system that is illustrated in the story and the American legal system.
    • Ask a lawyer from the community (possibly a parent of a student) to come in and speak to the class about the Judicial Branch. Allow plenty of time for the students to ask questions.
    • Have the students perform a short writing activity. The activity could be in the form of a letter to either the state or federal Judicial Branch. Have the students write about what they have learned as a result of the lesson, and send the letters to the branch. An alternative could be to write a group letter.

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