The Nile

In History this week we started learning about Egypt and the Nile River. The river used to overflow once every year during the rainy season and silt from the riverbed would fertilize the farmland around it. The water would soak the soil and keep it moist enough to provide the minerals and nutrients needed to plant the crops they grew. There was an area called the Nile Delta (the triangular piece of land) where it splits into different rivers and runs into the Mediterranean Sea. The river flooded so much that the Nile Delta would be completely underwater. Now there is a dam, so it no longer overflows. The kids also learned about Pharaohs and different gods the Egyptians believed in (which was interesting to discuss with Cailey:) and folk tales about them regarding the Nile River overflowing.

This weekend the kids helped Brian 'make' the Nile river and Nile Delta. They collected pebbles for the river bed, 'planted' the seeds for the grass (crops) to grow and watched as it overflowed when they poured water in. HOPEFULLY grass will grow on the river banks around the 'Nile river.' Either way the kids learned about it in a hands on way and had fun!