Lesson Plan - Should Mummies Be in Museums?

Watch a Video: Mummies
Discuss: Based on the video, why have people been so fascinated with mummies? 

Preview Words to Know 
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• pharaohs 
• preserved 
  

Set a Purpose for Reading 
Point out the “As You Read” question. As students read, have them identify reasons that some mummies are in museums. 

1. What is the “precious cargo” described in the first paragraph? Why is it considered precious? 
“Precious cargo” refers to the mummies of ancient Egyptian pharaohs and other royalty being moved. It is precious because it is human remains. 
^{(RI.4.3 EXPLAINING IDEAS)}

2. Why does Peter Lacovara argue that museums displaying mummies are doing what the dead would have wanted? 
Lacovara argues that the point of mummification was to live on. He says that the mummified dead would have liked the idea of being preserved, visited, and remembered.
^{(RI.4.8 REASONS AND EVIDENCE)}

3. Summarize the arguments made by those who say museums should not display mummies. 
One argument they make is that the dead did not give permission to be put on display. Others are that displaying mummies makes them seem less human, is unnecessary, and can scare visitors.
^{(RI.4.2 SUMMARIZING)}

FEATURED SKILL: Class Discussion
Use “Let’s Discuss It!” to prepare for a class discussion. 
^{(RI.4.8 PROBLEM/SOLUTION )}