Ancient Egyptian Beliefs

Overview

This 44-minute lesson introduces Year 3 students to the fascinating ancient Egyptian practice of mummification, linking it directly to their religious beliefs and gods. The lesson is designed to meet the UK National Curriculum for History, specifically the requirement to explore “changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age” and introduce children to a non-European society that provides contrasts with British prehistory.

Curriculum Links

• History: National Curriculum (2014), Key Stage 2

  • Pupils should learn about the achievements of the earliest civilisations – an overview of where and when the first civilisations appeared, focusing on Ancient Egypt.
  • Understand society, culture, beliefs, and practices of a non-European society.

• PSHE and SMSC: Understanding beliefs and values to develop respect for different cultures.

• English: Age-appropriate vocabulary development connected to history.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will be able to:

• Explain why the ancient Egyptians mummified their dead.
• Describe how beliefs about the afterlife and gods influenced their burial practices.
• Identify at least two Egyptian gods connected to death and the afterlife.
• Show respect for different cultural beliefs about death and the afterlife.

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Resources

• Large laminated images of Egyptian gods (Osiris, Anubis) and mummies.
• Replica or pictures of Egyptian burial artefacts (canopic jars, sarcophagus).
• Plain A4 paper and colouring pencils.
• Story script/narration of "The Journey to the Afterlife" simplified for Year 3.
• Whiteboard, markers, and sticky notes.
• Optional: Small bag of dry rice or sand to simulate 'embalming'.

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Lesson Structure

1. Engage (5 minutes)

Starter Question:
Ask children: “If you could choose, what would you want people to do with your body when you die?”

• Accept a few quick answers to spark interest.
• Introduce: “Today, we will learn about how people in Ancient Egypt prepared their bodies after death and why.”

2. Activate Prior Knowledge (5 minutes)

• Show a photo of a mummy and ask if anyone has heard the word before.
• Quickly share what a mummy is and where they are found (ancient Egypt).
• Write key words on the board: mummy, afterlife, gods, burial.

3. Teach (10 minutes)

Story & Explanation:

• Tell a simplified, engaging story titled “The Journey to the Afterlife”:
  • Ancient Egyptians believed that after death, the soul had to travel safely to a new life.
  • The god Osiris ruled the afterlife, and the god Anubis took care of the dead.
  • People believed their bodies had to be kept safe and complete, so their souls could come back to them.
• Show images of Osiris, Anubis, and a mummy.
• Explain mummification as a special process of keeping the body from decaying, linked to these beliefs.

4. Explore (10 minutes)

Hands-on Activity: “Mummify a ‘Mini Pharaoh’”

• Each child receives an A4 cut-out “body” (simple outline).
• Using information learned, children draw and decorate their figure with “bandages” (striped lines), and add symbols representing protection (e.g. an Ankh symbol, painted or drawn).
• Place “treasures” or important things (drawn or stuck on sticky notes) beside the body, to link the idea that Egyptians buried items with the dead to help them in the afterlife.

5. Apply (8 minutes)

Class Discussion:

• Reflect on why Egyptians cared so much about what happened after death – explore the idea of belief and respect.
• Questions might include:
  • Why do you think people want to remember others when they are gone?
  • What do you think the Egyptians hoped would happen to their souls?
• Compare briefly to modern customs (funerals, memorials) without judgement, emphasising respect for different cultures.

6. Plenary (6 minutes)

Quiz & Recap:

• Play a quick ‘True or False’ game with statements such as:
  • “The Egyptians believed in one god only.” (False)
  • “The body had to be kept safe for the soul to live again.” (True)
  • “Anubis was the god who helped the dead.” (True)
• Ask children to share one new thing they learned today.
• Share praise and reinforce the respect for other beliefs.

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Assessment

• Observation of participation in discussions and activity.
• Quick verbal recap using the quiz to check understanding.
• Review the decorated “mummies” for evidence of understanding mummification and symbolic protection.

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Differentiation

• Support for SEN students by providing pre-drawn outlines or step-by-step instructions for the activity.
• Extension task: For more able children, write a short sentence explaining why mummification was important.
• Use visuals heavily to assist understanding and vocabulary acquisition.

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Reflection and Tips for Teachers

• Children often find Egyptian gods fascinating; encourage questions about mythology to deepen engagement.
• Emphasise that beliefs about death vary around the world; this lesson can connect to PSHE themes of respect and understanding diversity.
• Integrating drama by acting out the ‘Journey to the Afterlife’ in a future lesson could engage kinaesthetic learners.
• Consider displaying students’ mummification art in a ‘Museum Corner’ to celebrate learning.

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This lesson plan is crafted with careful consideration of the Year 3 curriculum requirements, balancing factual history with developing empathy and cultural understanding, making it a rich and memorable learning experience.