Make Ancient Nubia and the Kingdom of Kush Come Alive in Your Classroom

One of the challenges of teaching ancient history is helping students visualize places that existed thousands of years ago. If you teach Ancient History or World Civilizations, this virtual field trip is a great way to bring history to life! Using a combination of Google Earth™ 360-degree views, informational text, and visuals, your students will visit Sudan and learn about key features of Ancient Nubia. Virtual field trips are great, engaging activities to add to your unit.

Students often learn about Ancient Egypt without realizing how closely Egypt was connected to the civilizations to its south. Studying Ancient Nubia and the Kingdom of Kush can help students develop a broader understanding of ancient African history and the Nile River's importance.

A virtual field trip is helpful when teaching geography because students can actually see the landscape and locations associated with the Kingdom of Kush rather than simply locating them on a static map.

Your students will learn about:

• Geographic location of Sudan

• Geographic location of Ancient Nubia

• Kushite language and religion

• Gebel Barkal sacred site

• City of Napata

• Pyramids of Gebel Barkal

• Kushite royalty

• Kushite kings

• Pyramids of Nuri

• City of Meroë

• Pyramids of Meroë

• Religious site of Naqa

• Ancient complex of Musawwarat es-Sufra

• Decline of the Kingdom of Kush

• Nubians today

This Virtual Field Trip Includes:

• Informational Text (build background knowledge)

• Response Questions (EDITABLE)

• Google Earth Links to 360-degree views

• Grading Rubric

• Everything is set up in Google Slides & ready to go!

How it Works:

This virtual field trip can be conducted teacher-led or shared with students through Google Classroom (or other LMS) as an independent assignment. Everything is set up for you. This resource is low prep and would even make great sub plans. Student directions are found within the lesson, and direct links are included to specific Google Earth™ locations. This lesson can also work well in a homeschool or co-op setting. Teachers can use this resource as a stand-alone introduction to Ancient Nubia and the Kingdom of Kush.

Structure:

This virtual field trip is structured. This means that the informational text and links are meaningful and are meant to lead students to think critically as they respond to the questions throughout the virtual field trip. This is a great way to keep students accountable as they learn and explore. All response questions are editable, so you can tailor to your class needs.

Standards Alignment:

:: Common Core Standards for Reading Informational Text

:: Washington State Social Studies Standards for 6th grade World Civilizations.

:: Massachusetts 6th Grade World Civilizations Standards

:: Can crosswalk to many different standards

Grading Rubric & Answer Key:

A grading rubric is included which assesses: accuracy, thoroughness, validity, and writing conventions. Answers will vary throughout, as students are recording their observations and findings.

Technology:

Please note that students will need to access Google Earth™ to complete this assignment. Please ensure that your school provides access to this site.

If you are teaching Ancient Egypt, Ancient Africa, African kingdoms, or World History, this virtual field trip is an engaging way for students to explore the Kingdom of Kush beyond traditional textbooks. Including the Kingdom of Kush in your Ancient Civilization unit will give students a more geographically and historically complete understanding of the ancient world.

Find the resource here:

Purchase on TPT

Purchase on SES Website