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Sixth-graders get taste of Egyptian culture

By Tiffany Carney

The familiar melody of "Walk Like an Egyptian" sounded throughout the Moreland Middle School cafeteria the evening of Dec. 20 as students, with their parents in tow, admired their classmates' school projects.

The walls were decorated with informational Egyptian posters and artwork as for the second year in a row, Moreland sixth-graders showcased projects for their unit on Egypt as an ancient civilization. Each student was required to research, write a report and create a tangible item related to the project. The students had to choose among eight topics, such as architecture, social classes and clothing.

After the project was completed, students gave a presentation explaining what they had learned. The final portion of the project called, "Evening along the Nile," featured an after-school, Egypt-themed event where their projects were on display. The student-created jewelry, pyramids, mummies, boats and more were placed on tables.

"They've been working on their Egypt projects for about five weeks," says sixth-grade teacher Ryan Smith-Demers.

Dressed in costume from head to toe, Smith-Demers stood near his students' projects and greeted students and parents.

This year about 300 students displayed their work, and even though it's not required, nearly all of them were in attendance.

The instructor says the event has been going strong for three years. "This began a couple years back at Rogers Middle School," says Smith-Demers, previously a teacher at Rogers. "Last year when we combined Castro and Rogers together, we continued the tradition."

"Evening along the Nile" was created to give students a chance to showcase their work to their parents and other students.

The event also gives students something to look forward to and gives teachers and parents a chance to touch base outside of the classroom. "The community loves to come out and support the children," Smith-Demers says.

Moreland parent Tammy Langowski provides some extra help at the Egypt Café, so named for one night only. She appreciates the fact that the teachers take time to create a special atmosphere for the children by dressing up and decorating the room.

"The project and the work that the kids put into it is just phenomenal," she says.

Langowski's daughter Clarissa created a manmade temple for her project using LEGO pieces. Clarissa, a sixth-grader in Seema Salgaonkar's class, says the project was a fun challenge.

"The kids get a chance to show parents and friends what they've been working on and what they've learned," says Moreland principal Norma Jeanne Ready, who was pleased with the turnout.

Salgaonkar was also dressed in an Egyptian costume and enjoyed seeing her students learning and having fun.

"They learn from each other, and that is the cool part," she says.

Smith-Demers says the multi-faceted project prepares the students for college. The project is completed for a grade, but also for a sense of accomplishment.

"When you are finished with your project, you feel proud because you worked really hard," said Clarissa, adding that it solidified her knowledge of Egypt, learning details of the temple by building it and facts about the temple by doing a research paper.

Parent Lisa Chapman was thrilled to be a part of the Nile night and also loves the fact that the teachers went above and beyond to teach a lesson on Egypt.

"Listen to the music, look at the incredible enthusiasm in the audience and look at the teachers all dressed up--it's fantastic," Chapman says.