The Curse of Tutankhamun

Teaching Reflection: Introducing "The Curse of Tutankhamun" to Year 4 Students

Today, my Year 4 English class explored a fascinating and mysterious topic titled The Curse of Tutankhamun. This was a fresh and unfamiliar subject for my students, many of whom had never heard of ancient Egyptian history or the concept of a "curse." However, the topic quickly piqued their interest due to its element of mystery, historical depth, and dramatic storytelling. As a teacher, it was both challenging and rewarding to introduce such content to young learners.

To begin, I provided a simple and age-appropriate explanation of who Tutankhamun was — a young pharaoh of Ancient Egypt — and the story behind the discovery of his tomb in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter. I also explained how some people believed that a curse was placed on anyone who entered the tomb, especially after the mysterious deaths that followed the excavation.

Recognizing that the content could be complex or abstract for primary school learners, I decided to incorporate multimedia to enhance their understanding and engagement. I selected a few child-friendly YouTube videos that discussed the story of Tutankhamun and the so-called "curse" in a way that was both informative and entertaining. These videos included animated storytelling, historical visuals, and simplified English narration. The use of visuals helped my students grasp the historical context, cultural setting, and the mystery surrounding the tomb more effectively.

While watching the videos, students showed genuine curiosity. I observed their facial expressions, body language, and spontaneous questions — signs of active learning and engagement. Some asked, “Is the curse real, teacher?” while others were amazed by the golden mask of Tutankhamun shown in the videos. Their responses reflected not only interest but also critical thinking, as they tried to differentiate between fact and myth.

After the video session, we had a short discussion. I encouraged them to share what they had learned and to express their opinions on whether they believed in the curse. This activity helped them practise their speaking skills in English, while also developing confidence to speak about new and challenging topics. Some students even made connections to what they had learned in moral or history classes, showing interdisciplinary learning.

In conclusion, today’s lesson was a successful attempt to introduce historical content in an engaging and meaningful way. The use of YouTube videos was particularly effective in supporting visual and auditory learners. More importantly, it opened a new window for students to explore the world beyond their textbooks and to develop curiosity about ancient civilizations. I plan to incorporate more cross-curricular topics and multimedia in future lessons to sustain this level of excitement and learning.