History - Ancient Greece
Year 4
\Ancient Greece – A study of Greek life and achievements and their influence on the western world
 To understand the achievements of the Ancient Greeks and their lasting legacy to western civilisation.
Greek Day – June 2023
12 full afternoon sessions plus one trip for entire Y4 history – 24 hours. Half spent studying Anglo-Saxons and Vikings. This unit will be 6 full afternoon
sessions – 12 hours.
WALT
To understand where Ancient Greece was
located and when it flourished.
Outcome: Poster showing key
geographical features and comparisons to
modern day equivalent landmarks. Group
work.
Board Lesson Approach Key Vocabulary
M – Explore PRIOR Learning… Starter: Key Vocabulary:
• Ask the pupils about the different civilizations • Ask the pupils about the different civilizations 1. Ancient Greece – the
they have studied before. they have studied before. period in Greek history
• Ask the pupils if they know anything about • Ask the pupils if they know anything about that lasted from around
Ancient Greece, prompt them to think about Ancient Greece, prompt them to think about 800 BCE to 146 BCE.
geographical knowledge they might have. geographical knowledge they might have. 2. Geography – the
C – To know the geographical location of Greece study of physical
in Europe. Input: features of the earth.
S – To label major cites and landmarks in Greece • Explain the geographical location of Greece in 3. Civilization – a
and compare to modern day equivalent Europe. society with a
landmarks. • Explain when Ancient Greece originated and developed culture and
C – To present our findings to the group. the significant period of time in which it social organization.
flourished. 4. Landmarks – a
Questions to ask: • Show a map of Greece and talk about it. recognizable and
• Where is Ancient Greece located? • Use relevant historical context across Europe to notable location.
• When did Ancient Greece originate? emphasise the scope and the timeline.
• What was the significant period of time in
which it flourished? Activity:
• Can you name the major cities and landmarks • Divide the pupils into small groups.
in Ancient Greece? • Distribute a worksheet containing a map of
• Can you identify their modern-day equivalent? Ancient Greece and ask them to label major
cities and landmarks.
• On the worksheet, students will note down a
modern-day equivalent of the landmarks.
• Encourage students to have discussions about
their answers within their group.
• Monitor the students and provide support where

To learn about the Ancient Greek gods
and goddesses.
Outcome: TOP TRUMP Greek God
cards.
History - Ancient Greece
Year 4
necessary.
Plenary:
• Ask students to present their answers and
explanations to the whole class.
• Draw on the board the major cities and
landmarks, and challenge the students to identify
them.
Resources:
• Ancient Greece map
• Worksheets for students with maps and space
for students to write modern-day equivalent of
the landmarks.
M-Discuss our PRIOR LEARNING Starter: Key vocabulary:
- The lesson will start with a class discussion to - The lesson will start with a class discussion to - Greek gods and
gauge what pupils already know about Ancient gauge what pupils already know about Ancient goddesses: the
Greece. Greece. supernatural figures
- The teacher will ask the class questions such as: - The teacher will ask the class questions such as: worshipped by the
"Have you ever heard of Ancient Greece?", "Have you ever heard of Ancient Greece?", Ancient Greeks
"What can you tell me about Ancient Greece?", "What can you tell me about Ancient Greece?", - Mythology: a
"Have you heard of any Greek gods or "Have you heard of any Greek gods or collection of stories or
goddesses?". goddesses?". myths that explain
- The discussion will be used to establish prior - The discussion will be used to establish prior natural phenomena and
knowledge and generate interest in the topic knowledge and generate interest in the topic. events
C- To investigate Ancieny Greek Gods and their - Olympians: the
roles. Input: twelve main gods and
S- To create a Greek God TOP TRUMP card. - The teacher will introduce the lesson's topic to goddesses in the Greek
C- To create two cards and to present our the class, focusing on Greek gods and goddesses. pantheon
findings. - Using a visual aid, the teacher will introduce - Symbols: objects or
the main gods and goddesses and their roles, attributes that represent
Questions to ask: such as Zeus, Athena, Apollo, and Hera. a god or goddess.
- Who was the king of the gods in Greek - The teacher will explain how the Greeks used
mythology? gods and goddesses to explain natural
- What was Athena the goddess of? phenomena and how their beliefs influenced their

To know how the Ancient Greeks
communicated.
Outcome: Greek letters and alphabet
translation work.
History - Ancient Greece
Year 4
- What animal is associated with Apollo? culture and society.
- What was the role of the goddess Hera?
Activity:
- Create a Greek God TOP TRUMP card.
Plenary:
- The class will come back together and the
teacher will ask each group to share their
findings on one god or goddess.
- The teacher will use questioning to encourage
discussion and check for understanding.
- The class will review what they have learned
and the teacher will summarize the key points of
the lesson.
Resources:
- Visual aid (poster or PowerPoint) of Greek
gods and goddesses
- Greek gods and goddesses worksheet
- Writing and drawing materials
- Optional: Greek mythology books for further
reading
M: To explore PRIOR LEARNING: Starter: Key Vocabulary with
The starter activity will involve showing the The starter activity will involve showing the Definitions:
students a short clip on the Ancient Greek students a short clip on the Ancient Greek 1. Alphabet - a set of
civilization. After watching the clip, the teacher civilization. After watching the clip, the teacher letters or symbols in a
will ask the following questions to assess will ask the following questions to assess fixed order used to
students' prior knowledge: students' prior knowledge: represent the basic
- What do you know about the Ancient Greek - What do you know about the Ancient Greek sounds of a language.
civilization? civilization? 2. Communication - the
- What are some of the contributions the Ancient - What are some of the contributions the Ancient process of exchanging
Greeks made to Western civilization? Greeks made to Western civilization? information and ideas.
S: To explore the Ancient Greek alphabet and 3. Writing system - a
discuss differences to modern day alphabet. Input: method of visually
 History - Ancient Greece
Year 4
C: To match words and meanings using the The teacher will introduce the topic of Ancient representing language
Ancient Greek alphabet. Greek communication by discussing the Ancient through the use of
C: To explain our learning through a presentation Greek alphabet. The alphabet will be shown on a symbols or letters.
to the class. chart, and the teacher will explain how it differs
from the modern-day alphabet. The teacher will
also give a brief history of Ancient Greek
communication, including how they developed
their writing system.

Activity:
The students will be given a handout with
Ancient Greek words and their meanings. They
will be asked to match the words to their
meanings using the Ancient Greek alphabet
chart. This activity will allow students to
demonstrate their understanding of the Ancient
Greek alphabet and its use.

Plenary:
The teacher will call on students to share the
words and their meanings they have matched. As
they share, the teacher will explain the
significance of the words in Ancient Greek
culture. The teacher will also ask students the
following reflective questions to assess their
learning:
- What new information did you learn about
Ancient Greek communication?
- What similarities and differences do you see
between their communication and ours today?

Worksheet:
The worksheet will contain questions that will
allow students to demonstrate their knowledge

To understand the democracy of Ancient
Athens.
Outcome: Democracy poster.
History - Ancient Greece
Year 4
M: Discuss our PRIOR LEARNING:
- Ask children if they know anything about the
Ancient Greeks and their society AND the word
‘Democracy.’
- Write down key points on the board to assess
their prior knowledge.
S: To explore Ancient Athenian Greek
Democracy.
C: To create a poster to present our knowledge.
C: To present our posters to the group,
explaining our learning using the key vocabulary.
Questions to ask:
1. What is a democracy?
2. What made Ancient Athens' democracy
unique?
3. What were the Council of 500 and Assembly?
4. How did Ancient Athenians vote?
and understanding of Ancient Greek
communication. The questions will include:
1. What is the Ancient Greek alphabet and how
did it differ from the modern-day alphabet?
2. How did the Ancient Greeks communicate
before they developed their writing system?
3. What is the significance of the words included
in the handout you were given?
4. What contributions did Ancient Greek
communication make to Western civilization?
The worksheet will include space for the students
to answer the questions provided and a section to
match words with their meanings using the
Ancient Greek alphabet chart.
Starter: Key vocabulary:
- Ask children if they know anything about the Assembly, Council of
Ancient Greeks and their society AND the word 500, direct democracy,
‘Democracy.’ voting
- Write down key points on the board to assess
their prior knowledge.
Where is Athens?
Input:
- Teacher will give a brief history of Ancient
Greece, highlighting the period of time when
Ancient Athens was a democracy.
- Teacher will explain what a democracy is and
give examples of democratic societies.
- Teacher will explain how Ancient Athens's
democracy worked and what made it unique.
Activity:
- Pupils will work in pairs to create a poster
illustrating what they have learned about Ancient
Athens' democracy.

To know about the Olympics in Ancient
Greece.
Outcome: Olympics fact-file..
History - Ancient Greece
Year 4
- Pupils will use the internet or textbooks to
research and gather information for their posters.
- Prior to starting, teacher will explain the criteria
for creating their posters.
Plenary:
- Teacher will ask pupils to present their posters
to the class.
- Teacher will ask pupils questions about Ancient
Athens' democracy.
M: To explore our PRIOR LEARNING: Starter: Key Vocabulary:
- Display a picture of the Olympic rings and ask - Display a picture of the Olympic rings and ask Pentathlon - A five-
the students if they know what it represents. the students if they know what it represents. event competition in
- Show a picture of the Ancient Greek ruins and - Show a picture of the Ancient Greek ruins and athletics.
ask the students if they know what they are ask the students if they know what they are Zeus - The king of the
looking at. looking at. gods in Greek
- Ask them if they have ever seen or heard of the - Ask them if they have ever seen or heard of the mythology.
Olympics. If yes, ask for some details. Olympics. If yes, ask for some details. Olympiad - A four-year
C: To explore the purpose of Ancient Greek period between
Olympic games. Input: Olympics.
S: To create an Olympic games fact-file - Begin by explaining that the Olympics started Gymnasium - A place
C: To present our learning to the group, in Ancient Greece and were held every four where athletes trained.
explaining our work using the key vocabulary. years to honor Zeus, the king of the gods. Olympia - The site of
- Explain how the games were held in Olympia the Ancient Olympics.
Questions to Ask: and the events that were included.
- What was the purpose of the Olympics in - Introduce the concept of the Pentathlon and ask
Ancient Greece? if they know what it is.
- Were women allowed to participate in the - Explain that there were only male athletes and
Olympics in Ancient Greece? that they competed in the nude.
- Who was the king of the gods that the - Talk about the prizes awarded to the victors.
Olympics honored? - Explain the role the Olympics played in
- What was the Pentathlon? Ancient Greek society.
- Why were the athletes naked during the
 History - Ancient Greece
Year 4
competitions? Activity:
- Hand out the fact file worksheet and ask the
students to complete it.
- The worksheet will include various prompts
about the Olympics in Ancient Greece, including
the events, the prizes, the role of the Olympics,
and more.
- Encourage the students to use the resources
provided and to work in pairs.
Go outside and try out some Olympic style
games!

Plenary:
- Choose a few fact files to share and ask the
students to read out their answers.
- Ask the students which fact they found the most
interesting and why.

QS for fact-file:
1. What were the Olympics?
2. Who was allowed to participate in the
Olympics?
3. How were the Olympics held?
4. Which events were included?
5. What was the prize for winning an event?
6. Why were the Olympics important in Ancient
Greece?
7. What was the Pentathlon?
8. Can you name some famous Ancient Greek
Olympians?
9. What is the Olympic flame?
10. What is the Torch Relay?

To reflect on Ancient Greece and the
legacy it has left.
Outcome: Achievements in Ancient
Greece (Legacy) worksheet.
History - Ancient Greece
Year 4
M: Explore our PRIOR LEARNING… Starter: Key Vocabulary:
- Display pictures of famous Greek buildings - Display pictures of famous Greek buildings Legacy - something
and landmarks and ask pupils if they can and landmarks and ask pupils if they can that is passed down
recognise any of them. recognise any of them. from one generation
- Ask the question: "What do you know - Ask the question: "What do you know to the next.
about Ancient Greece?" and give pupils 2-3 about Ancient Greece?" and give pupils 2-3 Democracy - a
minutes to discuss in pairs. minutes to discuss in pairs. system of
S: To explore the legacy of Ancient Greece and - Ask 2-3 pupils to share their answers with government in which
recall key facts. the class. power is held by the
C: To create a table showing achievements and people, who exercise
legacy of Ancient Greece.
Input: it through elected
C: A paragraph writing task about one of the
- Introduce the lesson objective and explain representatives.
Greek achievements and how it influences Olympic games - an
that today's lesson will be about Ancient
modern life. ancient Greek festival
Greece and the legacy it has left.
- Provide some basic background of athletics, music,
Questions to ask:
information on Ancient Greece and its and poetry, held
- What do you know about Ancient Greece?
achievements (e.g. democracy, literature, every four years.
- What are some key achievements of
architecture, philosophy, etc.). Mythology - a
Ancient Greece?
- Introduce some key vocabulary words and collection of stories
- What is a legacy?
provide their definitions: legacy, democracy, belonging to a
- How have the achievements of Ancient
Olympic games, mythology. particular culture, for
Greece influenced modern life?
- Show a short video about Ancient Greece. example, those
relating to Greek
Activity: gods and heroes.
- Provide each pupil with a worksheet that
includes the following:
 1. A table with two columns: 'Achievements
of Ancient Greece' and 'Their Legacy
Today'. Pupils will need to research and fill
in the table based on information provided
on a few websites.
 History - Ancient Greece
Year 4

 2. A paragraph writing task about one of the

Greek achievements and how it influences
modern life.
- While pupils are working, the teacher will
circulate, answering questions and offering
support where needed.

Plenary:
- Pupils will share their paragraphs with the
class.
- What legacies of Ancient Greece have you
learned today?
- What have you learned about Ancient
Greece that you didn't know before?

By the end of these 6 lessons, children will have learnt about the location and timeline of Ancient Greece, the main gods and goddesses worshipped, the way
Ancient Greeks communicated, the democracy of Ancient Athens, the Olympics in Ancient Greece, and the legacy of Ancient Greece in our world today.