Activity Overview
Perhaps the most “famous” of all ancient Egyptians is King Tut or Tutankhamun (also spelled Tutankhamen). This young Pharaoh has become synonymous with ancient Egypt since his nearly intact tomb was discovered in the early 20th century. In this activity, students will be asked to look beyond the stunning artifacts and focus on the intriguing backstory to Tutankhamun.
Students should create a timeline that tells the story of Tutankhamun's father, Akhenaten, and Nefertiti, Akhenaten’s queen. The timeline should include the political and religious turmoil that Tutankhamun was born into, and should conclude with the 20th century discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options, and update the instructions accordingly.
Extended Activity
A logical extension of this activity would be to create a traditional storyboard that examines Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. Have students think about the impact Howard's discovery had on archaeology and public interest. Teaching King Tut & ancient Egypt for kids is so fun with storyboards!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline that illustrates the major events in the life of King Tut.
- Use the template provided by your teacher
- In the title of each cell, note the major events in King Tut's life
- In each description box, describe the event
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events and Dates | The events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. The dates provided are correct. | Most of the events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. Most of the dates provided are correct. | Some of the events chosen for the timeline are significant. There may be missing events, or events that are irrelevant. Too many dates may be incorrect. |
| Explanations/Descriptions | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are accurate and provide insight into the significance of the events. | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are mostly accurate and attempt to provide insight into the significance of the events. | There are several glaring inaccuracies in the explanations or descriptions of the events. There may be little or no insight int the significance of the events, or the information provided may be too limited or missing. |
| English Conventions | There are 0-2 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 3-4 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 5 or more mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. |
Activity Overview
Perhaps the most “famous” of all ancient Egyptians is King Tut or Tutankhamun (also spelled Tutankhamen). This young Pharaoh has become synonymous with ancient Egypt since his nearly intact tomb was discovered in the early 20th century. In this activity, students will be asked to look beyond the stunning artifacts and focus on the intriguing backstory to Tutankhamun.
Students should create a timeline that tells the story of Tutankhamun's father, Akhenaten, and Nefertiti, Akhenaten’s queen. The timeline should include the political and religious turmoil that Tutankhamun was born into, and should conclude with the 20th century discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options, and update the instructions accordingly.
Extended Activity
A logical extension of this activity would be to create a traditional storyboard that examines Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. Have students think about the impact Howard's discovery had on archaeology and public interest. Teaching King Tut & ancient Egypt for kids is so fun with storyboards!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline that illustrates the major events in the life of King Tut.
- Use the template provided by your teacher
- In the title of each cell, note the major events in King Tut's life
- In each description box, describe the event
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events and Dates | The events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. The dates provided are correct. | Most of the events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. Most of the dates provided are correct. | Some of the events chosen for the timeline are significant. There may be missing events, or events that are irrelevant. Too many dates may be incorrect. |
| Explanations/Descriptions | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are accurate and provide insight into the significance of the events. | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are mostly accurate and attempt to provide insight into the significance of the events. | There are several glaring inaccuracies in the explanations or descriptions of the events. There may be little or no insight int the significance of the events, or the information provided may be too limited or missing. |
| English Conventions | There are 0-2 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 3-4 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 5 or more mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. |
How Tos about Who was King Tut?
How to Facilitate a King Tut Artifact Analysis Activity
Engage students with hands-on learning by organizing an artifact analysis around King Tut’s tomb treasures. This helps students make real-world connections to history and deepens critical thinking.
Gather and display images of King Tut artifacts
Select a variety of artifact images—like the gold mask, jewelry, chariots, and everyday items—from reputable museum sites or educational resources. Project or print these visuals for students to examine.
Guide students to observe and record details
Encourage students to note materials, shapes, and possible uses of each item. Ask open-ended questions to spark curiosity, such as "What do you think this object was used for?" or "Why might it be decorated this way?"
Facilitate small group discussions
Have students work in groups to compare observations and brainstorm what each artifact reveals about King Tut’s life and ancient Egyptian beliefs. Monitor conversations and offer guiding questions as needed.
Connect artifacts to historical context
Lead a class discussion linking artifacts to topics like the significance of burial practices, the role of Pharaohs, and daily life in ancient Egypt. Encourage students to share insights and relate findings to what they’ve learned in other activities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Who was King Tut?
Who was King Tut and why is he so famous?
King Tutankhamun, often called King Tut, was a young pharaoh of ancient Egypt whose nearly intact tomb, discovered in 1922, made him one of the most famous figures in archaeology. His fame comes from the stunning artifacts found in his tomb and the mysteries surrounding his short reign.
How can students create a timeline of King Tut's life?
Students can create a timeline by marking key events in King Tut’s life, such as his birth, reign, major accomplishments, and the discovery of his tomb. Use a template to organize events chronologically, add brief descriptions, and include illustrations for each milestone.
What role did Akhenaten and Nefertiti play in King Tut’s story?
Akhenaten was King Tut's father, known for major religious reforms, and Nefertiti was Akhenaten’s queen. Their actions led to political and religious changes that shaped the world King Tut was born into, influencing his reign and legacy.
What impact did Howard Carter’s discovery of King Tut’s tomb have?
Howard Carter’s discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1922 sparked worldwide interest in ancient Egypt, transformed archaeology, and brought new understanding of Egyptian history through the artifacts and treasures found inside.
What are some creative ways to teach students about King Tut and ancient Egypt?
You can teach about King Tut and ancient Egypt using activities like creating timelines, storyboard projects, poster presentations, or gallery walks. These methods make history interactive and help students visualize historical events.
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