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| Hands-on
Ancient People I
Hands-on Ancient
People I features the cultures of Mesopotamia,
Egypt, and Islam. It is especially timely today,
when Islamic studies are being included in revised
curricula of many school districts. In addition,
the Islamic world's physical wealth of artifacts
is just now finding exposure in publications and
is being featured in more and more museum exhibits.
As with all of Yvonne Merrill's
books, the activities in this publication are the result
of extensive research with museums and private collections.
(For example, the Louvre in Paris has a remarkable collection
from Mesopotamia, including animal mosaics from the Gate
of Ishtar in Ancient Babylon. The Metropolitan
Museum in New York City and Louvre have a remarkable
collection on Egyptian artifacts.)
Hands-on Ancient
People, Volume I features:
- 33 projects photographed in stunning full-page full color
- An introduction to the Mesopotamians, including
maps, timelines, and contributions
- An introduction to Egyptian art and culture, gods
and goddesses, and historical background
- An introduction to Islam, including maps, art, and basic tenets
- Maps of the Near & Middle East, along with important points of
interest such as the Taj Mahal, Mt. Sinai, and the Sphinx
at Giza
- Pattern pages and cultural patterns
- See sample projects below
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Learn about
the ancient Mesopotamians, Egyptians, and Islam, as you complete
the spectacular projects in Hands-on Ancient People, Volume
I! Sample projects include the following:
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Egyptian
Patterns (all grades)
Learn to appreciate the visual richness and beauty of the Egyptian
world as you replicate traditional patterns on today's common objects:
painted flower pots, t-shirts, gift bags, wrapping paper, etc. Patterns
for the "ankh" and scarab are included in the book, along
with 16 pages of other patterns.
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| Hand
of Good Luck (all grades)
The hand of Fatima,
Mohammed's daughtter, is hung over thresholds, worn as
jewelry, and displayed for good luck in the Islamic world.
Generally the hand is metal, has a central blue jewel,
and features rich relief on its surface. Students can
trace their hands and create personal imagery for their
own idea of good fortune.
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Mosaic
Tiles (all grades)
There are five art forms in the Islamic world, and repeated patterns
in mathematical designs are basic in decorating. "Tessellation" is
the creation of designs using geometric forms such as triangles,
squares, etc. Plant motifs were often mixed with the shapes, as in
this activity, inspired by mosque designs throughout the Arabic world.
Use ordinary white tiles, paint, and the tessellation grid included
in the book, to create your own beautiful mosaic tiles!
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| Four
Crowns (4th grade and up)
Throughout ancient Egyptian history, the Pharaoh wore many types
of crowns and helmets. Each of these four has a name and a purpose,
and was often worn by a certain Pharaoh. It's easy to imagine yourself
as royalty when you create and wear any of these colorful crowns.
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Three Minarets (2nd grade and
up)
Boxes and tubes covered with authentic
patterns and architectural features have been assembled
to create the most visible building in the Islamic world:
the tall balcony atop the minaret built for the muezzin
(mujadhin) to call people to pray (the Adhan) five times
a day.
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