Greek Study I

 This week we kicked off our Greek Study stations. The 1-2 kids were very excited to be engaging in a range of new learning activities to broaden their knowledge of Ancient Greece! 

One station in this first round is theater (a very big deal in Ancient Greece). Groups choose a myth to act out for the group. Our first group performed Daedalus and Icarus, our second group performed Odysseus and the Cyclops. Both groups brought their characters to life with their voices and actions and both groups incorporated some humor into their production. We are looking forward to more plays to come.

At another learning station, students are tasked with taking what they know about a Greek god, goddess, hero or monster and creating lyrics for a song they will sing to us. Some groups chose to use a tune they know to "piggyback" their lyrics on while others composed a completely new melody for their words. We've had a range of rap, Taylor Swift rewrites, Old McHermes Had a Farm, and original tunes. Kids can write and perform songs on their own or with a small group. 

We have been learning about the mosaic tile floors and artworks of Ancient Greece. We've looked at some beautiful examples from our archeological dig site photographs as well as pictures from museum exhibits - we're looking forward to seeing an actual mosaic tile floor design when we visit the MFA. At the station, kids used small paper squares to create a mosaic design of their own, inspired by Ancient Greek mythology and architecture.

Throughout our study so far we have been learning about the different Olympian gods and goddesses and their unique strengths, powers and faults. The 1-2 kids have been reflecting on which god or goddess they feel most similar to or inspired by. They colored a picture of that god or goddess to put on their Greek Study folders and then wrote about why that particular figure has captured their interest. 

One station tasks the kids with map skills calling on them to use their knowledge of cardinal directions and landforms to answer questions and find locations on a map of important landmarks in Ancient Greece. This challenging station requires some teamwork to think through the questions and discuss potential answers. 

Finally, in our first foray into architecture, small groups of students are building their version of a Greek temple. This project gives them an opportunity to examine examples of Ancient Greek temples and become more familiar with the terms associated with these elements, for example, column, capital, and pediment. There are many stylistic similarities in modern buildings that harken back to Ancient Greece, particularly on important or government buildings. Point these out to your child when you see them to help them see the connections between the ancient world and our modern one. 

Enjoy the pictures below!