Program Guide: "A Day in the Life of an Archaeological Dig in Athens and in Sicily"

Program Provider		Vanderbilt University Virtual School
Contact Information		Jan Zanetis jan.zanetis@vanderbilt.edu 110 21st Ave., Suite 850 Nashville, TN 37203 Phone: (615) 343-8848 Fax: (615) 343-1145
Program Title		"A Day in the Life of an Archaeological Dig in Athens and in Sicily"
Target Audience		Education: Grade(s): 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Gifted and Talented Coordinator
Primary Disciplines		Social Studies/History
Secondary Disciplines		Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Social Studies/History
Program Description		Welcome to ancient Greece! The ancient Greeks were very proud of their city-state! They were proud of being Greek. The ancient Greeks were thinkers. They loved to talk. They honored their gods and respected honor. They loved beauty, music, literature, drama, philosophy, politics and art. Ancient Greek civilizations thrived nearly 4,000 years ago.Yet, their culture still impacts our lives today, in the arts, in philosophy, and in science, math, literature and politics. The ancient Greeks were great builders, thinkers, philosophers and military strategists. They loved to talk. They honored their gods and respected honor and loved beauty. Some of the gifts the ancient Greeks gave to the world are: Trial by Jury Greek Myths Democracy Tragedy and Comedy Theatre The Olympics Greek columns (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian) Sculpture Epic poetry Fables Ancient Greeks lived in city-states. Each city-state was a separate political unit. Each city-state (polis) had its own personality, goals, laws and customs. Ancient Greeks were very loyal to their city-state. Daily life was somewhat different in the Greek city-state of Athens than it was in the city-state of Sparta, or in Corinth! Ancient Greeks all spoke the same language. They believed in the same gods. They shared a common heritage. They perceived themselves as GREEKS! Greek houses, in 6th and 5th century BC, were made up of two or three rooms, built around an open air courtyard, built of stone, wood, or clay bricks. Larger homes might also have a kitchen, a room for bathing, a men's dining room, and perhaps a woman's sitting area. Although the Greek women were allowed to leave their homes for only short periods of time, they could enjoy the open air, in the privacy of their courtyard. Much of ancient Greek family life centered around the courtyard. In the courtyard, Greek women could relax, chat, and sew. Most meals were enjoyed in the courtyard. Greek cooking equipment was small and light and was easily set up in the courtyard.
Program Format		Vanderbilt professor and expert in Greek and Roman archaeology, Barbara Tsakirgis will discuss her excavations in Sicily and in Athens. She will share slides describing the Ancient Greek and Roman houses: what the houses looked like when they once stood, what the plans of them were, how the people used the individual rooms, and how they lived their lives in the houses. She will discuss Ancient Greek and Roman architecture, the people, the culture, and human behavior. We will then have an interactive Q and A with the classes participating.
Objectives		The participants will. . . . . . -Locate on world maps the major regions of Ancient Greece and Rome -Learn about key elements of ancient Greek civilization, including government, mythology, philosophy, sports, art, and architecture -Analyze the cultural contributions of Classical Greece. -Compare and contrast the cultures and architecture of Greece and Rome -Assess the Roman cultural contributions
Vocabulary Words & Definitions		ANCIENT Definition: Relating to the historic period beginning with the earliest known civilizations and extending to the fall of the Roman Empire in A.D. 476. Context: The culture of ancient Greece had rich traditions, many of which exist today. ARCHITECTURE Definition: A particular style or fashion of building. Context: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian are three styles of Greek architecture found in buildings around the world today. CLASSICAL Definition: Relating to the ancient Greek and Roman world, especially to its literature, art, architecture, or ideals. Context: The classical age of Greece began with the Persian War (490-479 B.C.) and ended with the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C. HERITAGE Definition: Something, such as culture, passed from generation to generation. Context: Greek heritage included mythology, philosophy, government, and much more. LEGACY Definition: Something handed down or that remains from a previous generation or time. Context: One legacy of Socrates was his dialogues, or using questions and answers as a teaching method. MYTHOLOGY Definition: A group of myths that belong to a particular people or culture that tells about their history, heroes, and gods. Context: Ancient Greek mythology includes stories about powerful gods who look and act like humans, but who can control nature and are immortal. PHILOSOPHY Definition: Academic study that is devoted to the examination of basic concepts, such as truth, beauty, freedom, and reality. Context: Scholars study Aristotle?s philosophy.
Participant Preparation		Introduce contributions that came from Classical Greece. Pass out "gifts" from the Greeks. . . one "gift" per student. Tell students that these are "gifts" given to the world by the Ancient Greeks. Have each student write a one or two paragraph report on their "gift" in the first person, explaining why "their" invention, or their gift, is of value to the world. Encourage students to share their "gift" and what they wrote about their gift with the class. After some of the students read their paragraphs, post all "gifts from the Greeks" on the bulletin board. Gifts may include: Greek columns (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian), trial by jury, myths, democracy, sculpture, comedy, tragedy, theatre, the Olympics, epic poetry, and fables.
Suggestions for Pre Program Activities		Review facts about ancient Greece. Have students locate Greece on a world map. Explain that a great civilization thrived there between 500 and 323 B.C., during a time in history called the Classical Greek period. The ancient Greeks developed new ideas for government, science, philosophy, religion, and art. The center of ancient Greek culture was the city-state of Athens. Although wars between Athens and the city-state Sparta would eventually weaken Greek civilization, its influence is visible today.
Suggestions for Post Program Activities		1)Divide students into five research groups, and assign each group one aspect of ancient Greek life to research: Art and architecture Government Mythology Philosophy Sports Groups will give oral presentations to the class following their research. 2) Create a collage of modern-day examples of ancient Greek culture using magazines, newspapers, or pictures from the Internet
Supplemental Resources		http://www.pbs.org/empires/thegreeks/ Greeks/Crucible of Civilization http://www.museum.upenn.edu/Greek_World/ Ancient Greek World http://www.digonsite.com/drdig/greece/index.html Ask Dr. Dig Questions about Greece and Rome
National Standards to which this program aligns		National Standards to which this program aligns: Subject area: World History Standard: Understands how Aegean civilization emerged and how interrelations developed among peoples of the eastern Mediterranean and Southwest Asia from 600 to 200 B.C. Benchmarks: Understands the major cultural elements of Greek society (e.g., the major characteristics of Hellenic sculpture, architecture, and pottery and how they reflected or influenced social values and culture; characteristics of classical Greek art and architecture and how they are reflected in modern art and architecture; Socrates?s values and ideas as reflected in his trial; how Greek gods and goddesses represent nonhuman entities; and how gods, goddesses, and humans interact in Greek myths). Subject area: World History Standard: Understands how Aegean civilization emerged and how interrelations developed among peoples of the eastern Mediterranean and southwest Asia from 600 to 200 B.C. Benchmarks: Understands the role of art, literature, and mythology in Greek society (e.g., major works of Greek drama and mythology and how they reveal ancient moral values and civic culture; how the arts and literature reflect cultural traditions in ancient Greece). Subject area: World History Standard: Understands major global trends from 1000 B.C. to A.D. 300. Benchmarks: Understands the concept and importance of ?classical civilizations? (e.g., the enduring importance of ideas, institutions, and art forms that emerged in the classical periods; the significance of Greek or Hellenistic ideas and cultural styles in the history of the Mediterranean basin.
State Standards to which this program aligns		Tennessee Social Studies/History Standards 8.2 World History to 1000 A.D. 8.2.1 Students will describe human culture in the Greek and Roman civilizations. ? Indicators: ? Describe how archeological discoveries change our knowledge of early peoples. ? Identify significant contributions and legacies. 8.2.3 Students will describe the impact of history, culture, and geography of Greece and Rome on later civilizations. Indicators: ? Describe the influence of physical geography, climate, and soils on the Greek economic, social, and political development and the impact on the commerce of the Mediterranean regions. ? Describe the location in time and place. ? Describe the development of Greek democracy. ? Identify and describe the contributions of Greek culture, such as mythology and philosophy. ? Describe the influence of geography on Roman economic, social, and political development. ? Identify and describe the economic and political contributions of Roman culture, such as mythology and architecture.
Cancellation Policy		The full fee will be charged to sites which cancel with less than 48 hours notice unless there is a school closing due to snow or weather emergencies.
Is video taping allowed?		No
Video Taping Notes		Video Taping Notes: We offer streaming archives of all videoconferences.

Go Back