Grade 6 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 11, Lesson 3

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
A Message of Ancient Days

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 11, Lesson 3: Ancient Greek Culture (pp. 345-350)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Culture The ancient Greeks' worship of a family of gods was expressed in stories, games, and special locations.

Summarize the Greeks' beliefs in a family of gods by making a name web with students. Be sure students understand that each god/goddess had a specific role or function. Explain the concept of sanctuary, and review examples of specific sanctuaries.

Outline the ways in which the Greeks honored their gods. Point out those activities which have come down to us today, such as sports competitions and plays. Talk about how important the twice-yearly plays were to the Greeks and how everyone was encouraged to attend.

Lesson Outline
Use the Lesson Outline to preview the content of the lesson. You may wish to print it for your students as a guide during reading.

Check for Understanding

Organize students into working groups and ask each group to write a short piece describing a visit to the Delphi Oracle as an ancient Greek. Tell students that each piece should include references to other sanctuaries, a festival, and some of the Greek gods. When finished, share and discuss.
Greece attracts many tourists each year. Ask students to design a travel brochure that draws attention to Greece's rich past of stories, games, sanctuaries, and plays. Students can draw the four images for the brochure. Help them write a caption for each image.

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