Greek Art & Architecture

Description of Learning Unit:

This unit provides an introduction to the wonderful art and architecture of Ancient Greece. Through online lessons and other internet-based learning tools, you will explore the history and design of Greek pottery and sculpture, as well as the architectural accomplishments of the Greek Parthenon and the surrounding Acropolis. You will discover many surprising facts about the history of Greek art through these lessons in addition to hands-on activities, worksheets, copywork, notebooking pages, and more. This unit is designed to last one week, depending on how often you teach history.

List of Objectives:

• To learn about Greek architecture.
• To explore the Greek Parthenon and surrounding Acropolis.
• To explore the history of Greek pottery and sculpture.

List of Materials and Supplies Needed for This Pathway:

Links to Related Pathways (if any):

Links to Online Lessons:

This lesson explains the different eras of Greek architecture, beginning in the Stone Age and ending in the Hellenistic Period. 

Did you know that the Parthenon was once used for ammunition storage, with disastrous results--or that it served as an Ancient Greek temple, a Christian church, and an Islamic mosque? 

Here you can view an animated tour of the Parthenon and the whole Acropolis area as it probably originally looked. You can also view a dramatic presentation on how the Parthenon was built.

This very well-done lesson takes you and your child through the different eras of Greek pottery making, from the Stone Age all the way to the height of Greek pottery. 

This lesson contains information about the Greek sculptur, Phidias, and his works. 

Reference Websites:

This page contains general reference information on the art and architecture of Greece, by period. 

Hands-On Projects and Activities:

In this activity, your child will decorate a Greek style pot. 

Masks were often worn by actors in the Greek theatre as a way to express emotion and depict different characters in the story or play. In this activity, your child will make a Greek mask. 

Your child will enjoy helping you make this yummy Greek cookie recipe. Add different colors of food coloring to the icing to create your own colorful Greek art! 

The Ancient Greeks are known for inventing unique and beautiful column designs that are still used in architecture today. In this activity, your child will create a 3-D beach scene with Greek pillars as part of the scenery. 

Batik was a way of using hot wax to decorate clothing and pieces of artwork in Ancient Greece. In this activity, your child will create a kid-friendly version using crayons instead of wax. 

Learning Tools (worksheets, drills, printables, online games, tests, etc.):

This simulation allows you to build a Greek-style temple according to your specifications, learning about Greek architecture along the way. 

This online activity is a good teaching tool to try before making your own real pottery. 

The Ancient Greeks built beautiful temples to honor their Gods. In this activity, your child will have fun putting together a sliding puzzle of the Temple Selinute. 

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 a tablet. 

Download a Parthenon themed notebooking page from Activity Village. 

Print this worksheet about Greek patterns and pottery and have your child color and complete the activity.

Free Online Video:

This National Geographic News segment documents the ongoing dispute between the British Museum and modern Greeks over who should have ownership of the half of the surviving Parthenon frieze that is currently displayed in London. 

Free Online Audio: 

Free E-Books (and classics available in most libraries):

List of any helpful books, games, toys, kits, lapbooks, curriculum, etc., that may be purchased to enhance the learning experience: