Fasten your seatbelts! We are going on a class trip in a time machine!

From when we are first born, we are surrounded by language. When we hear others speak, we learn how to form the basic sounds needed to communicate with one another. Many of us speak English and for all of us, the English we know and speak has not changed too much over the course of our lifetimes. The question that remains is was English the first languauge ever? The answer is no. The story of language begins a long time ago, during the time of the Egyptian Pharaohs who created a language based on pictures called hierogyphs. There is a lot of fascinating information on Ancient Egyptian language on the Internet and in many museum exhibits. With just the click of your mouse, your bedroom, office or wherever it is you are seated right now, will become a world away from your own. Take a trip to Ancient Egypt and discover the early beginnings of written language.

The Royal Ontario Museum has a wonderful online resource for students to gather information on Ancient Egypt and to take part in a few online activities. Get a better understanding of Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs by visiting this webpage entitled "Online Activities: Ancient Egypt." You may access the information on language by scrolling to the bottom of the page and selecting the "writing" lesson under The Arts section:

http://www.rom.on.ca/schools/egypt/learn/index.php

After you have stuffed your brain with useful information, have some fun translating words into Egyptian hieroglyphs by selecting "Writing in Egyptian hieroglyphs" on the webpage:

http://www.rom.on.ca/schools/egypt/activities/index.php

In Europe, the Romans were laying the foundations for one of the many technologies we use each day! Imagine walking to school, driving a car or riding your bicycle on air. You may need to invest in a good helmet because you know it would be impossible to attempt such a stunt. We are able to do all of these things because we have flat surfaces for our feet and the wheels on cars to move on. What are these flat surfaces called again??? Oh, that's right! Roads. A simple technology we often take for granted. Click on the following link to learn more about the Ancient Roman technology and then take the quiz that is prompted at the end of the page. Good luck and remember to keep both feet on the ground!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/romans/roads.shtml



PARENTS' CORNER: As a part of our grade five unit on Heritage and Citizenship-Early Civilizations, as set out by the Ontario Curriculum, the above activities are intended to ensure that students meet specific expectations. In regards to this lesson, students must "identify some scientific and technological advances made by two or more early civilizations." Thank you for your support and encouragement! I hope you find these links as informative and fun as your children!