Exploring Ancient Greece
Information About This Unit
Description of Learning Unit:
This unit will help young children become familiar with Ancient Greece through exploring the geography, daily life, and foods of this historic civilization. This learning unit is designed to last one week, depending on how often you teach history. 
List of Objectives:
- Learn about the importance of Ancient Greece to the development of western civilization.
- Become familiar with the geography of Ancient Greece.
- Learn about the two most famous cities of Ancient Greece-- Athens and Sparta.
- Discover the foods of Ancient Greeks and enjoy a Greek feast in your own home.
List of Materials and Supplies Needed for This Pathway:
- Two large cardboard circles
- Tape or glue
- Scissors
- Assorted art supplies
Greek Feast: Spanakopita - Greek Spinach Pies
Filling:
- 3 Tbsp. Olive oil
- 1 large onion
- 1 bunch of green onions
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 pounds of spinach
- 1/2 cup parsley chopped
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 3 eggs beaten
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Pastry:
Greek Feast: Himoi Apo Froutta (Fruit Punch):
- 1 large can pineapple
- 1 large can peaches
- 12-ounces frozen orange juice
- 12 ounces frozen lemonade
- 4 black pony beads
- 2 10-inch lengths of black yarn
- Masking tape or duct tape
- New 3-inch trim roller refill (available at home stores)
- Craft glue or hot glue
- Black felt
- 2 googly eyes
- A mini pink pom-pom
- A 2-inch white pom-pom
- Two chopsticks
- Sheet of 8 1/2" by 11" paper
- Scissors
- Tapes
- Colored pens
- Yarn, cord, ribbon or string
- Printer
- Paper
- Pencil or pen
- Crayons or markers
- Printer
- Paper
- Crayons or markers
- Printer
- Paper
- Pencil or pen
- Printer
- Paper
- Pencil or pen
- Crayons or markers
Links to Related Pathways (if any):
History Year 3, Week 14: Fun & Games in Ancient Greece
History Year 3, Week 15: Greek Art & Architecture
History Year 3, Week 16: Greek Myths & Legends
Links to Free Learning Material
Links to Online Lessons:
| The Cradle of Western Civilization | (no rating) |
Begin your studies of Ancient Greece by reading this general, easy-to-understand introduction to the civilization.
| The Geography of Ancient Greece | (no rating) |
Learn more about the geographic features of Greece, and view a photo of typical Greek terrain at this link.
| Daily Life in Ancient Greece | (no rating) |
This lesson discusses aspects of life in Ancient Greece.
| Athens | (no rating) |
An excellent site for children to learn about ancient daily life in Athens.
| Sparta | (no rating) |
This section describes ancient life in Sparta.
| Learn About Greek Food and Drink | (no rating) |
This page explains what the Greeks ate and drank, and why.
Reference Websites:
| The Greek Alphabet | (no rating) |
This page discusses the Greek alphabet.
| Ancient Greece Timeline | (no rating) |
This lesson contains two timelines of Ancient Greece.
Hands-On Projects and Activities:
| Make a Greek Shield | (no rating) |
Follow these instructions to make a shield in the style of the Ancient Greeks.
| Prepare a Greek Feast | (no rating) |
Have a Greek feast with Spanakopita and Himoi Apo Froutta (Fruit Punch).
| Sheep Craft | (no rating) |
Sheep played an important role in Ancient Greece. In this activity, your child will make a cute sheep.
| Greek Mosaic | (no rating) |
The Ancient Greeks are known for making beautiful mosaics. In this activity, your child will make his or her own colorful mosaic.
| Ancient Scroll | (no rating) |
In this activity, your child will make an Ancient Greek scroll.
Learning Tools (worksheets, drills, printables, online games, tests, etc.):
| Map Work | (no rating) |
Print out this blank map of Classical Greece, and then click on "Labelled Map" to view the map with the city names included.
| The Red Rope | (no rating) |
Learn a lesson about Athenian democracy while playing a fun game.
| Training in Sparta | (no rating) |
Put yourself in the shoes of a Spartan boy, trying to train to be a warrior. You must pass several tests to achieve your goal of being elected to full citizenhood.
| Adventures in Ancient Greece | (no rating) |
Explore Ancient Greece in this fun online game.
| Greek Meal Coloring Page | (no rating) |
Have your child color this page of Ancient Greeks dining.
| Copywork Sentences | (no rating) |
Copywork helps us with our writing skills and also helps us remember parts of a story. Enjoy writing a few of the following sentences in your copywork notebook or on tablet paper.
| Notebooking | (no rating) |
Use this page to draw a picture about life in Ancient Greece, and include your child's narration about what he or she has learned (Younger children may dictate their observations to you.).
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Free Online Video:
| Ancient Greece Video | (no rating) |
This video contains stunning images and general information about ancient Greece.
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Free Online Audio: 
Free E-Books (and classics available in most libraries):Supplemental Materials
List of any helpful books, games, toys, kits, lapbooks, curriculum, etc., that may be purchased to enhance the learning experience:
CurrClick: Ancient Greece Lapbook