The Ancient Greeks
Curiosity
As an introduction to the topic, Year 5 (including the staff) came to school dressed in togas and took part in an Ancient Greek Day. The day included a range of historical and cultural activities including an Ancient Greek Olympic sports competition complete with opening and closing ceremonies, Greek god Top Trumps, Greek vase designing and olive tasting.
Confidence
Objective:
- Who were the Ancient Greeks?
- How did the Ancient Greek civilisation impact the modern western world?
- Who did they worship?
- What was life like in Ancient Greece?
Throughout the half term, students used a range of primary and secondary sources to uncover facts about life in Ancient Greece. We used an activity provided through Now Press Play to immerse children interactively in ancient Athens and Sparta. Students were also tasked with role playing and acting out Greek myths which developed their growing curiosity in the subject.
Challenge
The Ancient Greek history topic tied nicely in with our Writing topic which involved writing Greek myths. Students studied a variety of different myths such as: The Odyssey, The Story of Icarus and Theseus and the Minotaur. Students were then able to use their new understanding of Ancient texts to plan and write their own Greek myth. Much to their enjoyment, this involved designing and describing their very own Greek mythological beast and hero.
Students were tasked with applying their historical finding to design amphora vases, create fact files on Greek gods and goddesses and combine their Art lesson skills to draw Ancient Greek architecture.