The Year 3 Historians investigated why the River Nile was so important in the lives and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians. They explored the interactive history timeline online and also looked at the timeline displayed in the school hall. 
They learned that the Nile was essential for many reasons:
It provided water for drinking and washing.
It supported farming, as the river flooded each year and left behind rich, fertile soil, perfect for growing crops such as wheat and barley. The children also discussed how the ancient name for Egypt, Kemet, meaning ‘black land’, referred to the dark, fertile soil along the Nile. They discovered that the Egyptians believed the yearly floods were a blessing from the god Hapi, whom they worshipped to ensure the river continued to bring life each year. They were fascinated to discover how the past could be presented in these different ways and worked brilliantly throughout the lesson.