Mumified Chickens
The 6th Grade students in Ms. Boyles’ Social Studies class “WRAP UP” their Ancient Egypt unit with a mummifying ceremony. The purpose of this activity is to expose students to a basic science/history activity and experience the art of mummy making as the Egyptians did it. The class spent several weeks researching Ancient Egypt including the traditions, cultures and mummifying techniques. As the end of unit activity, the class created mummies out of chickens. Students cleaned and prepared their future mummies as the Ancient Egyptians would have; sprinkling spices and encasing them in salt to begin preservation. (Check out the slide show).
Data was collected in class before sending the subjects to the “tomb” to dry. The subjects have been checked weekly and notes and data collection has been continued throughout the process. We are hoping that the mummies will be complete before Easter as the cold is slowing it down just a bit! Upon completion of the drying process the class will wrap their chickens in gauze and decorate them for their afterlife. The class created sarcophaguses (stone coffin) out of shoe boxes for the chickens to be laid to rest in after the activity is complete. Also, Mr. Ford helped out in art class by helping the class make canopic jars! These are jars that were used by Egyptians for preserving organs after being mummified. Several will be on display in the art show later in the year. Be sure to check with a 6th grader for continued, up to date coverage of the adventure!!
Special thanks to Nancy Neely for donating the chickens and to the students and parents who have helped with the salt demand!!
