Explore the fascinating world of Ancient Greece with this comprehensive 10-lesson series from Wolsey Academy. Each lesson is fully resourced and ready to teach, packed with engaging activities and historical content that bring this vibrant civilisation to life. Covering key topics such as the Minoans and Mycenaeans, the Trojan War, Athenian democracy, the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars, and the conquests of Alexander the Great, these lessons are designed to captivate students aged 11-14.
With interactive tasks like role-plays, creative projects, debates, and timelines, students will actively participate in their learning, developing a deep understanding of Greek philosophy, architecture, mythology, and more. All materials are scaffolded to ensure inclusivity, making the series accessible to learners of varying abilities. Perfect for history teachers looking for a complete, engaging package on Ancient Greece!
The Lessons in the series are:
- The Minoans - Students will re-enact a Minoan bull-leaping event by writing and performing the commentary for a mythical bull-leaping competition, bringing this ancient tradition to life.
- The Mycenaeans & The Trojan War - Students will create their own version of the Trojan Horse, constructing and presenting how they would use it to infiltrate an enemy city.
- Homer and Greek Literature - In this lesson, students will work in groups to storyboard key scenes from The Iliad or The Odyssey and present their adaptations to the class.
- Olympia & The Olympic Games - Students will write and produce a mock newspaper report on the Ancient Olympic Games, discussing the sports, competitors, and the religious significance of the event.
- Greek Gods & Delphi - Students will engage in a Gods and Myths role-playing activity, where they act as various Greek gods debating their importance in front of the class.
- Athenian Democracy - This lesson includes a mock Athenian assembly where students participate in a democratic vote on a key issue, experiencing the decision-making process of ancient Athens.
- The Persian Wars - Students will work together to create a battle strategy for either the Greeks or Persians, then simulate the famous battles using maps and counters to analyse the outcomes.
- Sparta & The Peloponnesian War - Students will debate the strengths and weaknesses of Sparta versus Athens in a classroom debate, acting as representatives from each city-state.
- The Athenian Golden Age - Students will set up a museum showcase in which they create displays on different aspects of the Golden Age, including philosophy, architecture, and science, and then present their work to their peers.
- Alexander the Great - Students will create a timeline of Alexanders major battles and conquests, illustrating his route across Asia and presenting key moments in his empire-building journey.