The Iris Project - Course

Ancient Greek Course

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These courses have been developed by Dr Lorna Robinson.

The Democracy game and theatre activity were created by Graham Kirby.

We are currently piloting an introduction to ancient Greek language and culture on the school literacy curriculum for year sixes in east Oxford primary schools. Below you can find the lesson plans we are using, along with the accompanying resources. The sessions are designed to last approximately one hour, and are aimed at large, mixed ability classes.

The lessons are designed to bring out the connections between Greek and English, to introduce the children to an exciting new alphabet, and to demonstrate the many rich and fundamental connections between ancient Greece and the modern world. Please feel welcome to use these in your lessons, and any feedback or questions are very welcome!

Lesson one - introducing Greek alphabet and gods activity

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Lesson one

Part one: ancient Greek language - introducing ancient Greek alphabet (30 mins)

Show powerpoint presentation. It starts with four slides initially, of an omega, the Olympics logo, a voting box, and English dictionaries. Ask the children to identify the images at their tables in groups and guess what connects them. (10 minutes)

with answers taken, move onto 'Ancient Greek' slide, and discuss the bullet points in a bit more detail. (5 mins)

go to slide with Greek alphabet and go through with the children (distribute a handout of the Greek alphabet to everyone in the class) (5 mins)

Lesson two - Greek words and their English counterparts, and artefacts activity

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Ancient Greek lesson two

Part one (in classrooms): Ancient Greek language - introducing new words and simple sentences (15 mins)

Recap

Powerpoint presentation introducing a variety of ancient Greek words (mythos, barbaros, polis, idiotes) which the children can transliterate

Guess meaning of the words, discuss the story behind each one and discuss how they connect with English (we used the idea of family resemblances but there are others!)

Lesson three - Greek sentences and democracy activity

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Ancient Greek lesson three

Part one: ancient Greek language - new words, breathings, definite article, masculine / feminine endings (30 mins)

recap words met last week (mythos, barbaros, idiotes)

Using powerpoint presentation, introduce new words, go through transliterations and meanings, and also with each one asking the class what English words we get from them (10 mins)

Discuss ho and he, explaining how the definite article is used in ancient Greek and the masculine and feminine distinction (5 mins)

Lesson four - new words and ancient theatre activity

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Ancient Greek lesson four

Part one: ancient Greek language and introduction to ancient theatre (20 mins)

Recap words from last lesson, and definite article and breathings (5 mins)

Using powerpoint presentation, introduce the ancient Greek words for aspects of theatre, pointing out modern words which are derived from these. Also use the images to introduce and discuss the basic aspects of theatre in ancient Athens. (15 mins)

Lesson five - verbs and Homer poetry activity

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Ancient Greek lesson five

Part one: Homer and oral poetry (15 minutes)

Use the powerpoint presentation to introduce Homer, his work, and oral poetry

Use the comparison of fairy tales 'once upon a time', and any other comparisons to communicate the idea of oral composition and stock phrases

Lesson six - verbs practice and philosophy activity

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Ancient Greek lesson six:
Ancient philosophy and verb endings practice

Part one: philosophy

Ask the class "what is beauty" and encourage answers and discussion

Ask the class "what is fairness" and discuss

Using powerpoint presentation, introduce Socrates and his methods

Lesson seven - sentence practice and ancient comedy activity

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Lesson seven: Ancient Comedy and verb consolidation

Part one: The private peace
*Hand out sheet and ask pupils to read through quietly.

*Ask them to have a guess at the Greek words at end of sheet

*Using powerpoint, lead the class through discussion of the story on the sheet.