Ancient Greece: Who Were the Ancient Greeks?
National Curriculum Aim Lesson Duration
Develop an awareness of ancient Greece – To explore some of the key events during All timings are approximate. 60
mins
a study of Greek life and achievements and the ancient Greek period.
their influence on the western world.
Continue to develop a chronologically Success Criteria Key Vocabulary/Concepts
secure knowledge and understanding of I can use and understand the terms ‘trade’, Trade, civilisation, city state, polis, timeline,
British, local and world history, establishing ‘civilisation’ and ‘chronologically’. chronology, chronologically, BC, AD.
clear narratives within and across the I can discuss when the ancient
periods they study. Greek period was in relation to
other periods in world history.
Develop the appropriate use of historical
terms. I can order key events chronologically
during a period in history.
Resources Preparation
Lesson Pack Ancient Greece Timeline Ordering Activity Sheet – one per child
Scissors Facts About Timeline Events Sheet – one per child (as required)
Glue sticks Timeline Events Activity Sheet – one per child (as required)
Whiteboards and pens Optional:
Additional Subject Knowledge Notes are provided to give more
information but the curriculum aim is covered without using these.
These notes are also included in speaker notes on the Lesson
Presentation.
Prior Learning Children may have learnt about other civilisations in history. Please refer to the Deep Dive into History: Whole-School
and Progression Progression Map for prior learning and progression.
Learning Sequence
Remember It: Using the Lesson Presentation, show where Greece is and where it is in relation to the United
Kingdom. What do the children already know about modern Greece? Ask pairs to discuss this and then take 5
mins
feedback. Use the Lesson Presentation to discuss basic information about modern Greece.
What Do We Know about Ancient Greece? Ask children what they already know about ancient Greece. Using
the Lesson Presentation, discuss the meaning of the terms ‘BC’ and ‘AD’. Then, explain how the ancient Greek 10
civilisation was made up of city states rather than being a country. Explain what is meant by a ‘civilisation’ and mins
ask children to think about other civilisations they have learnt about. Share information about ancient Greek city
states, including how and what they traded. Can children understand the terms ‘civilisation’ and ‘trade’?
Ancient Greece in Time: Using the Lesson Presentation, show a timeline showing when ancient Greece was in
relation to other periods in history. Ask children what they notice about ancient Greece in comparison to other 5
mins
periods. Can children discuss when the ancient Greek period was in relation to other periods in world history?
Ordering Events Chronologically: Explain that children will be ordering ancient Greek events chronologically
using the Ancient Greece Timeline Ordering Activity. Explain what ‘chronologically’ means. When the children 25
have completed the activity, take feedback on how they have ordered the events and share the answers using mins
the Lesson Presentation. Can children understand the term ‘chronologically’ and can they order events
chronologically?
All children sort some key events on the Ancient Greece Timeline Ordering Activity Sheet. If they complete
this activity, children can go on to find out more about some of these key events by reading the Timeline
Events Sheet. Children can then pick out one or more facts about each of these events to record. This can be
done on the timeline they have just completed if they have space, in their workbooks or on the Facts About
Timeline Events Activity Sheet.
Ancient Greece’s Influence: Discuss the significance of ancient Greece in history and how its influence still 5
impacts our culture today. Explain that we will be learning about its culture in following lessons. mins
Asking Questions: Children write down on their whiteboard a question that their partner should be able to
answer from their learning during the lesson. Give pairs chance to ask and answer each others questions. Next, 10
mins
pairs share with each other a question that they would like to find the answer to about ancient Greece.
History | Year 6 | Ancient Greece | Who Were the Ancient Greeks? | Lesson 1 visit twinkl.com
Exploreit
Find out about and mark on a map the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Information can be found on these from The
Linkit:
Ancient Seven Wonders of the World PowerPoint.
Researchit: Research information about modern Greece.
Assessment Notes
History | Year 6 | Ancient Greece | Who Were the Ancient Greeks? | Lesson 1 visit twinkl.com
