As Rachel and I prepare our Social Studies Unit Plan on Ancient Greece, we were excited and overwhelmed by all the possibilities we had in front of us. Ancient Greece is simply fascinating. Greek Mythology, Greek Food, Greek architecture, Greek language, Greek style, all of it is endless in its opportunities.
There is so much to give our students, it was hard to narrow down our choices. We ultimately decided to talk about the Olympics, Greek mythology as our focal points and touch on things like democracy, ancient Greek technology that is still relevant today, the culture and the geography. Still a lot!
I found this great clip on ancient Greek Technology that taught me some new things too! And it is narrated in a fancy British accent, which does make everything better. Check it out, I found it useful and will be a tool I will use in my classroom: Ancient Greek Technology. This is the link or simple watch below. The illustrations are also brilliant!
As we researched Ancient Greece, we came up with a fun inquiry based lesson that involved learning about five Greek gods and goddesses. I have a vague understanding of Greek mythology, but nothing really concrete. As I read the quick synopsis of some of the gods and goddesses from Treasures of Greek Mythology (now a must-have for my future classroom) I became enamored with the goddess Artemis.
Artemis was born from Zeus and Leto and was known for her tomboyish ways and her amazing archery skills. She ended up falling in love with Orion, although neither quite understood that she had fallen in love. The two had become partners in crime, really. She, the skilled archer, loved to compete with Orion on her island as they set targets for both to take aim. Artemis' bother, Apollo, was wary of Orion, who had an arrogant reputation, and tricked Artemis into killing him. Devastated by her loss, Artemis fell into a deep sorrow. Zeus, Artemis' father, felt sorry for his daughter as she grieved her loss and placed Orion in the sky for her to gaze at him forever. In true Orion nature, Artemis would look up and wave at Orion, but he wouldn't wave back. 
So much of Artemis' story rang close to myself, as it would for anyone. We've all felt Artemis' naïve love and we have all lost people we have cared about. While I don't follow Astrology closely, I know my sign and love the symbol. I am a Sagittarius and the archer is the symbol. A few years ago, due to a strange turn of events, I became a certified archery instructor. I am not truly athletic. However, one of my skills is target practice. By another strange twist of fate, I am a great shot and excel at trap shooting. (editor's note: My life is strange) I thought that being a certified archery instructor fit my Sagittarius ways very well. And then I finally read about Artemis. And it all made sense. Some of my friends know that an old friend very recently passed away and that it was a great shock for me. Reading about Artemis and thinking about my own life, especially recently, made me reflect and draw connections. And that is the beauty of mythology. Sure, the myths are myths and are about bored and jealous and arrogant gods and goddesses, but it is so true to life. Who hasn't been Apollo, resistant to change or overcome with protective instincts for a loved one that we end up hurting them worse? Who hasn't been Orion, focused on your goals, thinking of your own target and not realizing the people around you? And really, who isn't Artemis, struck by naivety and love, blind to flaws and yet self-sabotaging.
While Rachel and I won't be diverging all the deeper and trickier parts of Greek Mythology onto fourth graders, we are excited to give them the keys to a whole universe of stories, mysteries and endless entertainment.
