Why were the ancient Greeks & Romans considered such amazing civilizations? What was life like back then? Why are they so similar and what accounts for their differences? In this 9-week class, students learn about some of the important people, myths, and events from the ancient civilizations of Greece & Rome.  As we learn about them we'll ask ourselves:  What did these civilizations contribute to humanity?

This class is for learners in grades 4-6.  It can be used as a STAND-ALONE CLASS for those students interested in ancient cultures or as as part of FULL-YEAR CURRICULUM when taken with Parts 1, 3 & 4 (see below for details).  I use the curriculum History Quest:  Early Times as a foundation for the material of the class.  It is an engaging curriculum that uses story-telling and hands-on activities to bring to life the story of humankind.  The most exciting part of teaching history is helping students realize the connection between the events of the past and themselves, knowing that everything led up to the way things are today, or understanding that people of long ago had the same fears and joys that we do today.  As we progress through the chapters, I supplement with interactive slideshows, engaging videos, and stories that help learners connect to the past.  I encourage them to ask questions, imagine, and wonder about things. Throughout the class they keep a notebook to keep track of questions they wonder about, things they’d like to learn more about, and interesting things they’ve noticed along the way.  I try to help them experience history as a historian does--building the story of humankind as they hear stories, look at evidence, and synthesize the knowledge of others. 

In this class, as we hear the story of our past, and watch as civilizations rise and fall, we ask ourselves:  What can we learn from these ancient people?

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CLASS STRUCTURE
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This class meets 3 days per week on the following schedule.  Before class, students will be assigned a chapter in the History Quest chapter book. 

DAY 1: Students discuss the assigned History Quest chapter.  Using an interactive slideshow we explore the civilization.  We look at maps, watch engaging videos, and share ideas about the civilization we're studying.  Finally we wrap up the class with a short story or chapter from a related historical fiction novel. 

DAY 2: We travel back in time on a "History Hop!" looking at a specific person or event from history.  Then we'll analyze some primary sources in my popular "Let's Be a Historian!" activities.  Students are assigned pages to browse in the Kingfisher History Encyclopedia.

DAY 3: On the last day students will share ideas from the homework assignment.  Then they'll do a hands-on activity, like cooking or art.  Finally, we'll wrap up the lesson with another short story or chapter.  

Students will be doing a research project on an ancient Greek or Roman person of their choice.  The project encourages student's to choose a person based on their own interests, making it a personalized and meaningful experience for everyone.  

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WINTER 2022
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WEEK 1 (Jan 16):  Greek Myths
-Read: D'Aulaire's Greek Myths
-Choose a myth or Greek god/goddess to research

WEEK 2 (Jan 23):  Development of Ancient Greece
-Students share their research on a Greek myth or god/goddess
-History Hop to visit a Queen
-Make Your Own Owl Coin
-Read: Herodotus & the Road to History OR Galen & the Gateway to Medicine

WEEK 3 (Jan 30): Classical Greece
-Read:  So You Think You Got It Bad? A Kid's Life in Ancient Greece
-History Hop to visit a Citizen of Ancient Greece
-Make a comedy and tragedy mask
-Read:  The Trojan Horse

WEEK 4 (Feb 6): People of Ancient Greece
-Read: Alexander the Great
-Read: What's Your Angle Pythagoras?
-Read: Herodotus & the Road to History OR Galen & the Gateway to Medicine

WEEK 5 (Feb 13): Macedonian Empire
-History Hop to visit a general
-Read: Herodotus & the Road to History OR Galen & the Gateway to Medicine
-Project Introduction: Choose a famous Greek or Roman to study

WEEK 6 (Feb 20): Roman Republic
-History Hop to visit a Roman veteran
-Roman Catapult
-Read: Herodotus & the Road to History OR Galen & the Gateway to Medicine
-Project Work

WEEK 7 (Feb 27): Roman Empire
-History Hop to visit a Roman engineer
-Roman Mosaic
-Project Work 
-Read: Roman Diary

WEEK 8 (Mar 6): The Fall of Rome
-History Hop to visit a Visigoth
-Roman Numerals
-Project Presentations: Greek or Roman Person
-Read: Roman Diary

WEEK 9 (Mar 13): Roman Mythology
-Research a Roman god or goddess
-Read: Roman Diary

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History Quest Full-Year Course
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This course is part of a 4-part series of classes.  There are NO PRE-REQUISITES for taking the class, meaning any student may take ANY CLASS, IN ANY ORDER, or even as a STAND-ALONE class.  However, when all classes are taken sequentially, it creates a full-year course, lasting 36 weeks.  

Part 1:  The Dawn of Civilization (pre-history through the first civilizations)- 9 weeks
Part 2:  Ancient Empires (ancient Mesopotamia, and ancient Americas)- 9 weeks
Part 3 (THIS CLASS):  Ancient Greece & Rome (Greeks & Romans)- 9 weeks
Part 4:  Ancient East (India, China, Arabia & the Silk Route)- 9 weeks

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Note About Historical Perspective
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History has many circumstances where we can question the perspective of the events.  For example, one group of people “conquers” another group, or a group of people form a religion around a certain set of beliefs. I make every effort to include multiple perspectives or ask questions that encourage students to think about different viewpoints.  I explain to students often that there are multiple ways to construct history, because there are so many people involved in any one part of it.  That’s what makes it so interesting!  Students are always free to ask questions and state opinions in a respectable way.  If controversial topics arise, my practice is to point out that not everyone believes the same thing, and it’s our job to try to see things from everyone’s point of view if we are to create a fair picture of what happened in the past.