Before starting the book, ask the students “What do you know about Egypt?” As students make suggestions, ask what they know about those things. (Students may suggest things like: pyramids, hieroglyphics, mummies, pharaohs. It will depend on the group’s background knowledge.)

Share the cover and title with the students. Then ask:

“What do you notice?”

“What do you think might happen in this story?”

“How do you think geometry might be used in this story?”

Students tell what they think will happen next and then use their background knowledge, what’s already happened, and pictures as support for their prediction. 

After reading page 23, ask “What’s making the sound?” Text and pictures should provide clues. 

After reading page 24, ask “What do you think are in the coffins?”

Possible words to focus on include: hieroglyphics, pharaoh, ancient, archaeologist, tetrahedron, snuffled, steep, corridor, mason, scaled, and antechamber.