Informational

·         Who Built The Pyramid? written by Meredith Hooper and illustrated by Robin Heighway-Bury

o   Suggest Grade Level: 2^nd grade. Even though this book is essentially a picture book, there are hard-to-read words in it, as well as some confusing content. This picture book would go along well with any unit on ancient Egypt, therefore I would not restrict in to 2^nd grade just because it is a picture. I would say that this book is appropriate for grades 2 and up.

o   Summary: Who Built The Pyramid? is an informational book about Senworsret’s Pyramid. It describes the roles played by each person who takes credit for the building of the Pyramid. Senwosret was the king of Egypt. He ordered that the pyramid be built to serve as his burial site. His chief minister, Montuhotep, oversaw the entire design of the pyramid. Imhotep, the high priest, decided where to build the pyramid and which direction it had to face. The quarry master, Senebu, gathered the stones that were used to build the pyramid. The foreman of the gangs, Ameny, led laborers deep underground to cut out the place that would eventually be the burial room of the king. Nakht was a laborer that set the stones in place. Wah carried water from the canal to the workers. The stonemason, Nesumontu, cut and shaped the stones that made up the pyramid so they fit together just right. Inyotef the sculptor carved the final and all important capstone. The son of the King, Amenemhat buried his father beneath the pyramid. Finally, Sasobek, the tomb robber, robbed the tombs and took everything he could find from the King’s chamber.

o   Classroom skills and strategies:

§  This book could be used when teaching a unit on Ancient Egypt. More specifically, it would go along well with a lesson on pyramids.

§  This book could also be used to teach students about roles in their school, community or nation. The pyramid would never have been built if everyone, save the tomb robber, hadn’t worked together. The same can be said for many things that are accomplished in daily life.

o   ESOL strategies/ applications:

§  Illustrations: The illustrations in the book take up the entire page. Students could write descriptions of each person in their own words and use the illustrations to help them.

§  Venn Diagram: Venn Diagrams could be used to compare and contrast two or more of the people described in this book.

o   Read aloud: The whole thing (it really is that good).

o   Personal opinion: This book has been one of my favorites so far. The illustrations are awesome, and the entire book is very informative. I especially enjoyed all of the supplemental material provided in the back of the book. This material further explains the building and eventual robbery of Senwosret’s tomb. The beginning of the book contains all of the pronunciations of the names used in the book, which I think is very helpful. The story itself is written in almost a Gospel Hymn type of rhythm. I absolutely LOVE this book.