How to Teach Greek History
Greek history, including mythology, is a popular subject for educators who work at the K-12 level. Aside from there being much to learn from studying the ancient Greeks, students tend to find great interest in the topic, especially when it comes to Greek mythology and theater. While there are a variety of ways to teach Greek history, taking a holistic approach to the subject is often the best way to give students a comprehensive understanding of the ancient Greeks.
Instructions
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Give your students a basic overview of ancient Greek history. Explain the beginnings of Greek civilization, the Greeks' contributions to society (trial by jury, democracy) and a general historical time line from the beginning to present day Greece. A brief overview of the ancient Greeks is best taught in similar ways to most other subjects, utilizing both lecture time and textbooks.
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Spend a good deal of time on ancient Greek theater. Since theater remains one of the most popular art forms in the world, students will benefit from gaining a strong understanding of its beginnings. There is an immense amount of literature surrounding early Greek theater as well as an array of educational films that can be used to teach the subject. Ensure that students are able to discern between tragedies, comedies and satires by showing films or giving theatrical performances in class.
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Focus the final portion of your Greek history lesson on ancient Greek mythology. Since students tend to be very interested in this topic, it is best to save it for last so that they have something to look forward to. Gather a handful of the most popular Greek myths and read them aloud during class, analyzing their many different aspects and potential meanings. For added effect, tie Greek mythology to today's popular films by reading a story, followed by showing a film that relates to it.
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Tips & Warnings
For a "final exam" in Greek history and mythology, ask your students to do a thorough analysis of a popular Greek myth or element of Greek history, such as democracy, philosophy or math.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit greek god image by Roberto of Tanglewood from Fotolia.com
