Bizarre History One-Shot: The Ancient Greeks

Completed by 3 learners

Ages 10-15

Live One-Time Class

In this survey session, students will explore strange and obscure facts about the ancient Greeks.

Larry Kramer

Average rating:

5.0

Number of reviews:

(9 reviews)

Live video meetings

Meets once

1-12 learners per class

55 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What's included

1 live meeting

55 mins in-class hours

Homework

After the session, students are encouraged to further explore other interesting facts about the ancient Greeks!

Class Experience

US Grade 6 - 9

Beginner - Advanced Level

The Acropolis, Socrates, Zeus, Alexander the Great...ageless heroes and storied institutions immortalized as the beginnings of Western civilization.  But what about naked wrestling, diagnosing illnesses by eating earwax, a thrice traitorous general who still managed to run an army, or getting tossed in jail for a hairy chest?  Maybe the ancient Greeks weren't so civilized after all...

In "Bizarre History One-Shot:  The Ancient Greeks," we will briefly examine the broad timeline of events for an overview of Greece's rich history.  Then, we will get the lowdown on some of the looney logicians, terrible toileting and frenzied festivals of ancient Greek culture that your teachers were afraid to tell you about...like the statesman who never took his helmet off (even in the bath!), or the ingredients in Sparta's famous black soup.  Whether you're already familiar with the Greeks or brand new to them, this session is perfect for those who want to explore some of the craziness behind those names and dates.  And it just might make learning ancient history a bit more fun!  

So, are you ready to discover the true meanings of ancient Greek words like "idiot" and "gymnasium?"  Let's find out together...

Learning Goals

Students will learn a variety of unusual or obscure details about the society of the ancient Greeks.

Other Details

Parental Guidance

This session is perfect for anyone interested in strange or unusual aspects of history, or just history in general. The tidbits discussed here are mostly sedate compared to some of the tawdry tales we've probably heard about the ancient Greeks, but some content may be better suited for older students. However, mature students of younger age are welcome with parent/guardian approval.

Supply List

Any related note-taking supplies should the learners wish to take notes.

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Sources

While they will not be specifically referenced in the session, the material, facts and details came from the following sources: The Rise of Athens: The Story of the World's Greatest Civilization by Anthony Everitt; Random House, 2016 Ancient Greece: An Illustrated History by Nigel Rogers; Lorenz Books, 2017 The Founders of the Western World by Michael Grant; Scribners, 1991 Ghost on the Throne: The Death of Alexander the Great and the Bloody Fight for His Empire by James Romm; Vintage 2012 The Ancient Greeks: Ten Ways They Shaped the Modern World by Edith Hall; Vintage 2009 https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/history/greece/10-facts-about-the-ancient-greeks/ https://www.definitelygreece.com/facts-about-ancient-greece/?utm_content=cmp-true https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greece https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-greece/ancient-greece "The Story of the Ancient Greeks" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_B0bh7MXgI "The Eight Ages of Greece" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk-OyRI7c7Q

Meet the teacher

Larry Kramer

Joined October, 2022

5.0

9reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Bachelor's Degree in English from Metropolitan State University of Denver

Hello, I'm Larry!  It's a pleasure to meet you...

I have a deep love for the humanities, particularly literature and history.  Though I enjoy learning about and sharing all subjects of both disciplines, I'm especially fond of Gothic and supernatural literature, 19th century and Edwardian authors, and the Roman/Byzantine, medieval and Enlightenment eras.  I also appreciate sharing pop culture, and "hidden history" or "facts off-the-beaten path"--strange, obscure but very interesting information not usually taught or known.

Via a BA in English Language Arts and TEFL/TESOL certification, I possess over twenty-five years experience teaching/training adolescents and adults in classrooms and online, in both the corporate and civil service fields.  Subjects of instruction have included everything from literature, creative writing, reading and lesson planning to infant care, small animal husbandry and unclaimed property management.  I currently work online as an English teacher, business English teacher, academic/learning coach, and as an English and history tutor.

My teaching philosophy and methodology involves "Socratic flexibility"--frequently probing student knowledge bases, insights and observations through frequent questions, and helping to expand their comprehension by utilizing modes beyond basic rote learning.  I also employ an interdisciplinary approach when teaching; it's not just about analyzing a poem, it's also about considering the current events, culture and life experiences affecting the author. 

I LOVE teaching and tutoring because I get to share my interests and experience with like-minded people of all ages.  Too, I enjoy those "Aha!" moments--seeing the lightbulb go off when students grasp complex or difficult topics.  Most of all, I appreciate learning as much from my students as I hope they learn from me. 
 
My family and I are world travellers, and to date we've visited 46 countries.  And, I'm not afraid to admit that I'm a HUGE Star Trek, Star Wars and superhero geek...

Looking forward to learning with you!