Wisconsin School for the Deaf - The Wisconsin Times Vol. 133 No. 2 Winter 2011-2012 | Page 6
Middle School News
by Brian Lievens
Cleopatra,
the Last Queen of Egypt
Andy, Malia, and Wyatt
construct a model of the
Nile River.
During the week of November 14-18, the entire
middle school department participated in an
interdisciplinary unit of study spanning all subject
areas with a focus on Cleopatra, the last queen of
Egypt. This week long unit culminated with a trip
to visit the Cleopatra exhibit at the Milwaukee
Public Museum on November 17, 2011. The
middle school students learned about the historical
background of Cleopatra while studying about the
Greco-Egyptian religion, culture, and people.
On Monday, November 14, 2011, the middle
school students explored the historical background
of Cleopatra VII. Mr. Lievens presented
information about Alexander the Great, Ptolemy
the Great, Julius Caesar, and especially Cleopatra.
Ms. Havers provided lessons about the Nile River.
The students were divided into three groups to
design a 3-D model of the Nile River using real
grass to explore how annual flooding assisted the
Egyptians’ farming.
On Tuesday, a book on Cleopatra by Diane
Stanley was signed aloud by Mr. Lievens. Based
on historical facts, the story described the setting
of Cleopatra’s eventual death. Soon the students
realized that all information on Cleopatra is for
the most part from her enemies who were not
always consistent in their portrayal of her. The
students along with Mrs. Copeland, examined
Egyptian and the Roman writings. Mrs. Copeland
provided information about the Rosetta Stone
which assisted the linguists in translating the
ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. The students
wrote Egyptian hieroglyphics and experimented in
trying their hand at writing Roman style letters on
a clay tablet. The gods and goddesses of ancient
Egypt came alive through Mr. Lievens’ lessons.
The students learned that Cleopatra was a divine
manifestation of goddess Isis according to the
ancient Egyptian beliefs.
Winter 2012 - 6
Archeologist, Dakota Kangas
is busy at work mapping out
his site!
Above, Daniel, Alex, and Malia
make paper.
Left: Tommy writes on his paper.