Students survey and report on the wide range of ancient Greek achievements in fields as diverse as poetry, mathematics, and sports. First, they watch a video on ancient Greek music. Then, students learn about achievements in their assigned specialties. Next, they identify and explain the contributions of famous Greek individuals. Finally, they research the achievements of ancient Greek women.
Students read an introduction explaining that the ancient Greeks built on earlier cultures and made major advances in many fields. They examine an image of Apollo and learn about the connection between the ancient kithara and the modern guitar. Students then watch Music and Creativity in Ancient Greece to explore the role of music in Greek culture and respond on a discussion wall about their impressions of ancient Greek culture and whether the video changed their ideas.
Teacher MovesIntroduce the overall experience and review the lesson objectives. Use the Apollo image to briefly explain his roles and highlight the linguistic link between kithara and guitar. After the video, discuss student responses from the wall to surface their perceptions of Greek culture. Then divide students into small groups, assign each group a specialty area (science, mathematics, poetry, drama, history, visual art, architecture, philosophy, or sports), and ensure each group has a designated reporter for upcoming tasks.
In small groups, students research their assigned area of ancient Greek achievement (science, mathematics, poetry, drama, history, visual art, architecture, philosophy, or sports) using online sources, including links in the Student Pack such as Ancient Greece for Kids, Guide to Ancient Greece, and Ancient Greece. They create a group report describing key Greek achievements in their specialty and either post the report directly to a discussion wall or share a link to a product created with a digital tool (e.g., Prezi, timeline, presentation, or digital poster). Groups then review and discuss the presentations created by groups that studied other specialties.
Teacher MovesMonitor group research and product creation, ensuring that each group clearly describes significant Greek achievements in its assigned area. Encourage students to use the suggested online tools and resources as needed. After reports are posted, prompt groups to review and discuss other groups’ presentations, and, if time allows, invite each group to present its specialty to the whole class and respond to classmates’ questions.
Working again in their small groups and focusing on their assigned specialty, students research specific ancient Greek individuals who made important contributions in that field, using prior sources or a linked resource such as 25 Famous Ancient Greeks. They discuss their findings and complete a shared graphic organizer in which the group reporter records information about two individuals and explains why each person’s contribution was important or remains influential. Students then review other groups’ organizers that feature individuals from different specialties and discuss what they learn with their own group.
Teacher MovesSupport students in locating information about individuals in their specialty by suggesting targeted keyword searches (for example, “ancient Greek philosophers,” “ancient Greek sculptors,” or “ancient Greek athletes”). Check that groups explain the significance of each individual’s contributions in the organizer. If time permits, have groups present their organizers to the class and answer questions. Then transition students to working individually for the remaining scenes.
Students read background text explaining that most recorded Greek achievements are attributed to men because women had few rights in most city-states, yet many women still made notable contributions. They examine images related to Sappho and learn about the fragmentary survival of her poetry. Individually, students choose one ancient Greek woman from a provided list (such as Aspasia of Athens, Gorgo of Sparta, Artemesia I of Caria, Sappho of Lesbos, or Hypatia of Alexandria) and research her life and achievements using online sources, including those in the Student Pack. They write one or two paragraphs summarizing the woman’s life and contributions and post their work to a discussion wall, then read classmates’ posts and respond to at least two with a question or positive comment.
Teacher MovesExplain the limited rights of women in most Greek city-states and highlight that, despite these constraints, some women made enduring contributions. Share the note about Sappho’s surviving poetry to illustrate how historical evidence can be fragmentary. Direct students to the high-quality online sources in the Student Pack and, if time permits, consider extending their biographical work into a class project such as a poster display or bulletin board showcasing the women they researched.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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