The image shows students outside in a grassy field, facing away from the camera - their hands on ropes. The ropes are connected to a large concrete block ad the students are leaning away from the block in an attempt to move it.

Hands-On Pyramid Lesson Brings Ancient Egypt to Life for LMS 7th Grade Social Studies Classes

Lawton Middle School

October 22, 2024

Recently, Mr. Chad Kuhlmann, a seasoned 7th Grade Social Studies teacher, introduced this year’s 7th graders to a hands-on activity exploring the construction methods of ancient Egyptian pyramids — an engaging lesson he’s been teaching for over a decade. Partnering with Dave’s Concrete, Mr. Kuhlmann arranged for a 5,000 pound, septic tank block to be delivered to the school’s football practice field, giving 7th grade students a chance to experience the monumental challenge of pyramid construction.Displaying Pyramid.JPG

"Lessons often fall flat about 5,000-year-old, dead guys," Mr. Kuhlmann remarked. "Simply reading about it does not truly capture the magnitude of the history."

The image captures a group of students engaged in a pyramid building activity outside on a sunny day. They are pulling on a rope tied to a large concrete block at the front right of the image. The student closest to the concrete block, wearing a beige t-shirt and black athletic shorts, is leaning back and pulling hard. Behind him, more students are spaced out along the rope, with some wearing casual clothes like t-shirts, jeans, and shorts. There is a mix of excitement and determination on their faces. In the background, a yellow school bus is parked next to a white building, and trees with fall foliage can be seen under the clear blue sky.In the activity, Mr. Kuhlmann's and Mrs. Ashmus's 7th grade students took measurements of the block and worked together to move it, mirroring the effort required to build the pyramids. The exercise aimed to help students grasp the scale of pyramid construction by imagining what it would have been like to move one of the more than two million blocks used to build the Great Pyramid. One class managed to move the block 20 feet downhill, but could only move it 10 feet uphill, offering insight into the physical demands of the task.

"This activity helps give perspective," Mr. Kuhlmann explained. "It allows students to conceptualize the size of the pyramids and the effort involved, something they can't fully grasp from a textbook."

Back in the classroom, students will continue the lesson by writing about what methods they believe were most likely used by the ancient Egyptians to construct the pyramids, combining what they've learned with their hands-on experience.

The image shows a large group of students posing together outdoors on a grassy field under a clear blue sky. Most of the students are standing in front of a large concrete block, while a few are sitting on top of it. The students are dressed in casual clothing, including hoodies, t-shirts, and sweatshirts, with some wearing shorts and others in sweatpants. The group is smiling and making peace signs or fun gestures, giving a playful and cheerful vibe. In the background, there are buildings and trees, indicating that the photo was taken near a school or facility, with the morning or afternoon sun casting long shadows.This unique and immersive approach helps bring ancient history to life for Mr. Kuhlmann's & Mrs. Ashmus's students, inspiring them to think critically and creatively about the past.