Have students write their names using hieroglyphs. This is a fun way to personalize hieroglyphs, make them relevant to students and introduce early writing styles to sixth graders. Students can also try writing other words using hieroglyphs or take turns trying to read classmates names from the hieroglyphic translation. Display students' names written in hieroglyphics in the classroom.
Have students create art around a hieroglyphic theme. Sixth-graders are expected to learn about the components of culture and making art incorporating Egyptian culture is a hands-on way to learn. Students can select one hieroglyph that they particularly find interesting and center it on a paper. Ask students to creatively decorate the paper around the hieroglyph to create a piece of artwork. Students can decorate the paper with an overall Egyptian theme or use modern interpretations. Students can also use a combination of hieroglyphs to create art or to illustrate a story.
Have sixth-grade students write a paper on the theme of hieroglyphics to help them better understand the role of language. Students can research the Rosetta Stone, characteristics of hieroglyphs, the history of hieroglyphics, why hieroglyphics are still important today or how to read hieroglyphs. Another option would be to ask each student to select a hieroglyph and use it as inspiration to create a short story. Allow students some freedom with the paper topic or encourage students to focus their topic on the role of hieroglyphics in Egyptian life.
Have students translate a simple text from English into hieroglyphics or from hieroglyphics into English. Consider providing the same simple text to the whole class and ask each student to translate it. Compare students translations and have a classroom discussion about the translation process, why the translations differed (different interpretations), the benefits of translations and how differences in translations can skew history. This project helps sixth-grade students understand the value and limitations of language, as well as technological advances in translating language.
Have students create a poster presentation about hieroglyphics and Egyptian culture. Encourage students to come up with their own ideas for the poster, with the only condition being that it must relate to the topic. Allow students enough time to do some research and put the poster presentation together. Have students present their posters to the class or set up their poster presentations throughout the classroom and have students walk around and review each others work.
Create a large paper pyramid mural on a wall in the classroom, or in a hallway. Decorate the pyramid as a class, using hieroglyphics to tell a story about the mummy or Pharaoh buried within. Sixth-graders can vote on which historical Egyptian character to make the pyramid for, or can create a new character that could have lived in ancient Egypt.