Hieroglyphs & Secret Codes Program

Preparation

Step 1. Gather informational books on ancient Egypt, mummies, and pyramids as well as fiction books such as Mummy Cat by Marcus Ewert, illustrated by Lisa Brown , Under the Mummy’s Spell by Kate McMullan,  and Cat Mummies by Kelly Trumble.

Step 2. Reproduce the hieroglyphic key sheet and the Egyptian-style frame sheet.

Step 3. Create an example by writing a simple secret message like “Keep Out!!” or “Brian’s Desk” or “Give Me Pizza” in hieroglyphs inside the frame.

Step 4. Check Writing Box supplies.

The Workshop

Step 1. Talk about the ancient Egyptians and about how their writing was different from ours. Demonstrate how we can write in hieroglyphs by using the symbols that correspond with the sounds of the letters. The words don’t have to be spelled correctly; they just need to sound right. “Keep” can be spelled “Kep” because the symbol for a long “e” needs to be written only once.

Step 2. Show the example sheet, and have all the children decode the message together.

Step 3. Hand out key sheets, Egyptian-style frame sheets, scrap paper (for trying out messages) and markers, crayons, pencils, and erasers.

Step 4. Give a five-minute warning for cleanup. Remind the children when the Writing Boxes are available to use in the library. Clean up the area and put away supplies.

Step 5. Take a few minutes to share the work.