Greg Tosto / Lesson Plan #4

School/Period:
Lesson Plan #4 / 6 Grade
th

Course/Number:
EDA 523-90
Lesson Topics:
Greek World View
Objective(s):
Understand the Greek view of creation
Describe the Greek view of
Common Core Standard:
CC.8.5.6-8.A. Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and
secondary sources.
CC.8.5.6-8.G. Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs,
videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.
Vocabulary:
Mediterranean
Ethiopians
Hyperboreans
Elysian Fields
Agenda: 45 Minute Class
Anticipatory Set: (10 Minutes)
-Write down homework: One paragraph essay on the Greek view of the
world

-Do now: As a class, read aloud a portion of the story The Gods and
Goddesses of Olympus by Aliki. The portion that is to be read aloud is the
beginning of the story which explains how the Greeks viewed the creation
of the world. (5 minutes)

-Once the story is read, students should go back to their seat and write in
their journals, in their own words, how the Greeks viewed creation.
Students should then share their answers with the class. Some students
could be paired with other students in order to help generate a more
complete answer. (5 minutes)

Lesson Procedures: (30 Minutes)

-The teacher will then explain to the class that the Greeks view of how the
world was shaped was very different than what we know of now. The
teacher will tell students that today we will be looking at how the Greeks
viewed the world and will be creating our own maps to explain the Greek
view of the world. (5 minutes)

-Students are to be set up into pairs of two. The teacher can pair more
abled students with students who typically struggle in class. The teacher
will hand out a copy of The Greek World View worksheet (attached
below) to each student and ask students to read the worksheet together as
partners. The worksheet can be adapted to fit students reading levels.
Once the worksheet has been read, the teacher will distribute one paper
plate to each student and explain that the students will be copying the
map from the worksheet onto their paper plate. The students will need
rulers to measure the proper distance each areas are from each other and
should appropriately label where the Ethiopians and the Hyperboreans
reside, where the Elysian Fields are, where the Mediterranean Sea is, and
where Greece is. Some students can be provided with the measurements
so they dont have to complete the extra step. None of these are located
on the map provided to them, so students must infer where they are based
on the text they read. Some students can have adapted maps if they need
them. Students should hand in their Greek maps to the teacher when they
have finished. Despite working in groups, each student should complete
their own map. (25 minutes)

-The teacher will then explain the homework assignment. Students are to
write a one paragraph essay comparing and contrasting the Greek view of
the world with our contemporary view of the world. The essay should
include at least two similarities and two differences. Some students can be
provided with a graphic organizer to help organize their thoughts. (5
minutes)
Closing:
-Students should write three facts on a post it note about the Greeks view
of creation and of the world and post it to the What Stuck with me Today
wall before leaving class. Some students can post only one or two facts. (5
minutes)
Materials/Equipment:
-Copy of Greek Gods and Goddesses of Olympus by Aliki
-One copy of The Greek World View worksheet for each student
-One paper plate for each student
-One ruler for each student
-Various crayons, markers, and colored pencils
-One post it note for each student
Technology:
-N/A
Anticipatory Set:
-Write down homework: One paragraph essay on the Greek view of the
world

-Do now: As a class, read aloud a portion of the story The Gods and
Goddesses of Olympus by Aliki. The portion that is to be read aloud is the
beginning of the story which explains how the Greeks viewed the creation
of the world. (5 minutes)
-Once the story is read, students should go back to their seat and write in
their journals, in their own words, how the Greeks viewed creation.
Students should then share their answers with the class. Some students
could be paired with other students in order to help generate a more
complete answer. (5 minutes)

Closing/Check for Understanding:

- Students should write three facts on a post it note about the Greeks view
of creation and of the world and post it to the What Stuck with me Today
wall before leaving class. Some students can post only one or two facts. (5
minutes)
Formative Summative Assessments Used:
-Whole class discussion
-Map
-Closure Activity
-Homework
Homework:
Students are to write a one paragraph essay comparing and contrasting
the Greek view of the world with our contemporary view of the world. The
essay should include at least two similarities and two differences. Some
students can be provided with a graphic organizer to help organize their
thoughts.
Differentiation:
*Adaptations are highlighted

Reflection on Planning:
This lesson introduces students to the views of the ancient Greek people
on both the world and creation. This lesson provides students the
opportunity to actively participate in their education by creating a map and
allows them practice in higher order thinking.
While this lesson is a Social Studies lesson, students also must use skills
theyve learned in math class, particularly measurement and scaling.
Reflection on Instruction:
NA
Works Cited:
http://www.mensaforkids.org/MFK2/assets/File/Teach/LessonPlans/Lesson_GreekMy
thology.pdf
 The Greek World View

The Greek view of the world was a little different than ours. The Greeks

believed that the world was flat, but circular, like

a paper plate. At the center of the Universe was

Greece.

Their world was divided by the

Mediterranean, which means Middle of the

Lands in Latin. The river Ocean flowed around

the world in a clockwise motion.

In the north lived the Hyperboreans an extremely happy people for

whom life was sweet. When the old people became tired of living, they threw

themselves into the sea. This was a land of constant vacation where people

were said to live for 1,000 years.

 In the south lived the Ethiopians. In Greek drama, mention is often

made of various gods being in Ethiopia, meaning really far away. So, if I say I

parked in Ethiopia this morning, would that mean Im close to my office or far

away? The Ethiopians were said to be on good terms with the gods and liked

to entertain them.

To the west were the Elysian Fields. This was the closest the Greeks

got to the idea of heaven; only the best and brightest of the dead people got

to go there.