Unfolding the History of Papyrus: Project Based Learning for Elementary Class

Teaching about the history of papyrus can be a fun and engaging way to introduce students to the ancient world and the evolution of communication. Papyrus has been used for centuries as a tool for writing, drawing, and sharing information. From the earliest forms of papyrus made in ancient Egypt to the modern-day printing press, this material has played a crucial role in shaping human civilization.

By exploring the history of papyrus, students can learn about ancient Egyptian culture and how they developed new methods of communication over time. They can also develop critical thinking and research skills by investigating the materials and processes used to make papyrus.

Through various worksheets and research activities, students will discover how papyrus was made, how it evolved over time and its importance in everyday life. This activity plan is designed for early elementary students and can be adapted to fit different learning styles and abilities.

Let's prepare to embark on a fascinating journey through the history of papyrus!

Let's get busy!

Printable & Activity Objectives

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Age: 7 to 9 year olds, Activity Time: 1-2 hours, Items Needed: Writing and colour pencils

In this activity, your child will develop a better understanding of the discovery of papyrus (paper), one of the ancient world's most important inventions.

It will help your child or student:

Learn about the history of papyrus, including its origins in ancient Egypt, how it was made and has evolved over time.
Understand the importance of paper in everyday life and how it has contributed to the development of civilisations. It will also guide them to think about new paperless alternatives to current paper uses.
Develop critical thinking, research, and writing skills through various activities.

Classroom Resources

Simple steps to start:

Research and find out more about the ancient origins of papyrus paper. Here's an interesting video about the ancient Egyptian craft of papyrus paper making:

Here's an interesting site with good teaching resources about papyrus:

Here's an interesting article about how The British Museum is preserving a 4000 year old papyrus document:

Here's a list of ancient papyrus artifacts digitised and accessible online via Google's Arts and Culture website:

Get started on the printable worksheets!

What's in the Printable Worksheet Pack

This printable activity pack consists of 5 mini project-based-learning (PBL) printable worksheets for your students or children to research and find out more about the history of papyrus and the future of paper use. Here's what it consists of: