Egyptians and Mummies Take Over Port Jeff Elementary

Doreen Marullo’s third-grade classroom at Port Jefferson Elementary School was transformed into an Egyptian museum on June 19, complete with a mummy chamber and a giant sphinx. The museum was part of Marullo’s six-week lesson on Egyptian history.

The exhibits, which combined technology with students’ writing and artwork, demonstrated what the third-graders had learned. Featured were exhibits on Egyptian dress, cooking, burial, art, writing and geography. Each station included a technology component where viewers could watch a video created by the students on the district’s recently purchased iPads, as well as a QR code allowing visitors to download the videos on their smartphones.

In addition to making informational videos, the students also produced their own music videos, changing the lyrics of well-known songs to ones about Egypt.

The museum, named MOMA (Museum of Marullo Authors), was open throughout the day to visiting classes. Visitors were greeted by two students, dressed as Egyptian statues, while Marullo’s other students, wearing Egyptian garb, gave tours and shared what they learned.

“We really learned a lot about Egyptian culture,” said third-grader Olivia Schlegel. “I especially liked learning about the Great Sphinx and making a sarcophagus out of clay.”