Main Activities:

  • Make artefacts related to jewellery & beauty: collars, necklaces, bracelets, mirror, and musical instrument - in two art sessions

  • Learn about Egyptian clothes, jewellery & make up using pictures, games and replicas

  • Try three kinds of Egyptian perfume

  • Two children dress up as Egyptians

Pyramid posters and papyrus sheets and bookmarks for sale at workshops

Background information:  

The Gods   Pharaohs   Hieroglyphs  

Artefacts   Clothing, Make-up etc.

 


In this workshop children will work in pairs to make jewellery and other items, both in the morning and in the afternoon, so everyone has their own artefact to take home. You can make an amazing museum display of your treasures, or use them for dressing up.

 

To book

Email Tony North:  tnorth67@hotmail.com or tel: 07754 406422 or 0161 224 6445

Fee: £299 per class for a whole day. Maximum 32 children per class.

Includes prizes of papyrus bookmarks (about 5X15cm in size) for answering puzzle questions.

 

Teachers' comments: 'The children had a great time and learnt a lot' (click for more reviews) 

Preparing for the Fashion Workshop

Permission Slip for make-up & perfume

Follow-up Lesson Ideas

Photos from workshops:  

Jewellery and mirror    Collars

  

The Wonders of Egypt

There is nowhere on earth like Egypt. For thousands of years tourists have been astounded by its beautiful temples and tombs, its vast pyramids and its golden treasures.

This workshop focuses on a matter of great importance to the Egyptians - beauty, bodily adornment, and delicious scents. Statues and wall paintings, as well as numerous artefacts, make it clear that Egyptians - both men and women - took beauty very seriously. They used cosmetics like eyeliner, wigs which could be extremely elaborate, and many kinds of fragrance (of which children will sample three in the workshop). There was even a goddess of beauty, Hathor.

Hathor's face on a princess's mirror

The Egyptian workshop has been very popular for the last 9 years, for several reasons: the enthusiasm and depth of knowledge which I bring to the day, the in-depth tuition on the intricacies of hieroglyphs, art and other aspects of Egyptian culture, the high quality resources and creative activities which children love, and which provide a rich learning experience about ancient Egypt as well as teaching art skills, and the fantastic outcomes which you can display in the classroom.

Detailed lesson plans are provided in the next column.

 

To book, contact:

Tony North

0161 438 6634/07754 406422

tnorth67@hotmail.com

Literacy link: for an excellent retelling of Egyptian myths and stories, see Stories from Ancient Egypt by well-known Egyptologist Joyce Tyldesley.

Tutankhamun's scarab pectoral, photo shown in lesson

 

Copy of scarab pectoral shown in the lesson

 

 

Ankh necklace made in workshop

 

 

 

Lesson Plan: Morning

1. Introduction to Egyptian fashion (30-45 mins)

Children will look at photos of paintings and statues, and learn about Egyptian clothes, wigs, make-up, and jewellery, including bracelets, necklaces, rings, and collars. They will handle the sorts of semi-precious stones used for jewellery (lapis lazuli, carnelian, turquoise, obsidian, etc.).

Collar in the Manchester Museum, made of faience tube beads

Next is a game in which children try to identify items that might be found in a cosmetics kit or a bedroom, such as kohl bottles, chests for cosmetics, combs, razors, and mirrors. Prizes for answering challenging questions are papyrus bookmarks.

Finally children will smell three kinds of perfume used by the Egyptians - frankincense, myrrh, and blue lotus flower - and try to guess what they are.

2. Make artefacts (60-75 minutes)

At this point (about 10.15) we will have a break so I can set up for the jewellery making. The children will leave the room and I will need a few helpers to set up.

I will give a short lesson on how to paint accurately with acrylic paint (e.g. dry brush after washing it, correct mistakes, keep hand steady by resting it on the table, only touch with the tip of the brush).

 

Mirror made by a year 4 child, with the face of Hathor made from plasticine

Then children will work in pairs to make a variety of artefacts related to beauty and fashion. Children will also work in a pair in the afternoon so that every child has his or her own artefact to take home.

Artefacts made: mirror with face of Hathor, four types of necklaces with different amulets (Osiris, ankh, djed, nefer, eye of Horus, scarabs) and lots of beads, Tut's scarab bracelet.

Painting an eye of Horus

The methods and materials have been carefully designed so that children can make artefacts of high quality and durability. They are also differentiated by difficulty level so you can assign a suitable task to each child. Photos of the artefacts are shown here.

3. Dress up as Egyptians (15 minutes)

One boy and one girl are chosen to dress up as Egyptians, with linen clothes (a dress for the girl and a kilt for the boy), plaited wigs, jewellery (bracelets and necklaces, including a replica of a princess's collar with over 1,000 beads), eyeliner, and lipstick and blush for the girl. A permission slip is provided for children to wear the make up.

We look at the various items and discuss what they are, how they were made, and their meanings. I will also show children a couple more items of jewellery (necklaces and rings).

  

Lesson Plan: Afternoon

4. Make collars (135 minutes)

Children now work in pairs to make collars, one of the Egyptians' favourite jewellery items. The collars are made using card templates, gold card, pasta, PVA, and acrylic paint. When finished they can be cut out and worn.

Above and below: Collars made by year 4 children

 


Copy of bracelet belonging to the pharaoh Shoshenq

 


Feedback from Teachers On the Egyptian Workshops

Just wanted to say a massive thank you for Friday. The kids absolutely loved it and the artefacts they created are superb. Will definitely be in touch later in the year to book for next academic year.

Amy Sunderland, Y4 teacher, James Brindley Primary, Worsley (June 2016)

We thoroughly enjoyed the Egyptian Workshop yesterday. It allowed those less academic children to shine and excel and express them selves through creative art. The work the children produced was to a very high standard and all children made something and were involved.
I have shown the History leader our work and she was very impressed.

Lucy Clark, Y5 teacher, Brandwood Primary, Bolton (February 2016)

What a wonderful day! The children all loved learning about Egyptian Fashions. All the children loved it, had so much fun, and learnt so much.

Linda Kielty, Y4 teacher, St. Clement's CE Primary, Openshaw (May 2015)
 

Many thanks for a great couple of days. The boys and staff got a huge amount out of it. It has really fired our imaginations.

It was super to be able to mix the factual learning with an art activity. The boys were on task and really focussed during these sessions. Thank you.

Many thanks again for a superb few days.

  

Oliver Barlow, Y5 teacher, Manchester Grammar School, (June 2014)

Just a quick email to say 'Thank You' for your visit last week. The children thoroughly enjoyed it and still talk about it now. It really brought the topic to life and inspired them to carry out their own research.

 

Jane Dempsey, Y5 teacher, Springfield Primary, Burnley (March 2014)

The children had a great day and learnt a lot. We are hoping to use some of the information in our class assembly in a few weeks time. Once again thank you for a very interesting and enjoyable day.
 

Emma McMahon, Y4 teacher, Parklee Primary School, Atherton (Nov 2010)

Thank you so much for a fantastic day! All of the class loved it and I did too. Your knowledge of Ancient Egypt is amazing! My nephew is over the moon with your book.

 

Emma Furness, Y3/4 teacher, Norris Bank Primary, Stockport (Oct 2010)

The workshop was amazing the children even now cannot stop talking about it. What I personally liked is the way that you brought to life the Egyptians with your artefacts, paintings and writing. The children liked the hieroglyphic writing, and display which we put together in the hall for all to see is still there and children still look and talk about it. It was one perfect day, I myself learned so much and I thank you for that.

 

Brian Fletcher, Y4 teacher St.Aidan's RC Primary School, Wythenshawe

Very practical, hands on. A fantastic learning experience. All the children and myself found the whole workshop worthwhile and a super learning experience.

 

Year 4 teacher, Queensgate Primary School, Bramhall

Excellent, plenty of variety to interest and stimulate the children.

 

Year 3/4 teacher, Mellor Primary School

 

An excellent day. The children particularly enjoyed the practical activities. I liked the variety of activities and the fact that some challenged the children....it has inspired the children when making their own artefacts using clay.

 

Mrs Beswick, Y6 teacher, Seymour Park Primary School, Old Trafford

A great way to introduce the Egyptians. Excellent practical activities that challenged the children. The artefacts made create a great classroom display.

 

Mr Daniels, Y5/6 teacher, Seymour Park Primary School

I thought it was excellent. I enjoyed and the children enjoyed the hieroglyphs and the practical work in the afternoon. A thoroughly enjoyable experience.

 

Mrs Rice, Y5 teacher, Seymour Park Primary School

The children have not stopped talking about yesterday yet! Thank you for the great day, they got so much out of everything!

 

Simon Johnson, St.Luke's Catholic Primary School, Frodsham

Thank you for a really good Ancient Egypt day last week, the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves!
 

Emma Gallagher, St. Michael's Primary, Flixton

Just to say a big 'thank you' for coming to Hopwood CP School. The children all thoroughly enjoyed your Egyptian Workshop, as did the teachers! We look forward to seeing you again.

 

Gill Cobb, Hopwood CP School, Bury

Once they've had a Time Trips workshop, they'll keep coming back!
 

Gaynor Heck, Holy Trinity Primary School, Hyde