Engage your pupils by giving them a whole day of living literacy through the history of a remarkable woman from the Ancient Greek world!
"The whole day went well! Working in groups. Overcoming difficulties between 'strong characters'. Children reading texts they would normally find difficult. The children were able to use their prior learning about Greeks in a completely different context.ALL children were able to show progress in a wide range of skills and knowledge. All children took part willingly."
Juliet Lee Deputy Head St Andrews Primary School
Juliet Lee Deputy Head St Andrews Primary School
This day offers Key Stage 2 the unique opportunity to learn about Ancient Greek culture through the story of Cynisca, the first woman to enter and win the Olympics, as told by a bespoke script written in the style of Ancient Greek theatre for young people. Gertie will enable the pupils to effectively perform the entire play in a day.
The History will include:
The English will include:
The Life Skills will include:
The History will include:
- An unknown Ancient Greek woman’s story
- Ancient Greek gods
- Ancient Greek theatre
- Ancient Greek states of Athens and Sparta
- Ancient Greek Olympics.
The English will include:
- studying and applying knowledge of characters through performance
- studying and applying knowledge of grammar through performance
- detecting and applying meaning through performance
- word derivation and detection
- knowledge and performance of a complete play.
The Life Skills will include:
- creativity
- collaboration
- working effectively in groups
- developing their confidence
"I have also built my confidence in front of my class mates. I would only improve the day by having a longer day learning because it was epic." Year 5 Charnock Hall Primary School
"I really enjoyed the part at the end where we did a part of a play in groups and did it in chronological order." Year 5 Charnock Hall Primary School
"I really enjoyed the part at the end where we did a part of a play in groups and did it in chronological order." Year 5 Charnock Hall Primary School
"The children responded brilliantly. Direction was clear as were expectations. Developmental feedback given had a clear and immediate impact." Esme Holliday Year 5 Teacher Abbey Lane Primary School
Here is an extract of the play spoken by a chorus of snooty chariot racing horses
If you like horses you want the best.
Look no more, forget the rest.
You’ve found us.
Well done!
We are the greatest.
No four-legged animal even comes close.
You think we boast?
We don’t.
This is the truth.
Look at us!
We are the fastest over any ground,
We pound,
With hooves as strong as stone.
Our legs like the strongest cord,
Take our word,
With hearts so strong they’d make a lion weep.
We’re the first up any hill,
No matter how steep,
We make all other horses ill,
At the thought they might have to race us.
"It is absolutely a good way to learn History. It is a sensible and extremely fun way. You don’t know how much you learn." Year 5 Charnock Hall Primary School
Look no more, forget the rest.
You’ve found us.
Well done!
We are the greatest.
No four-legged animal even comes close.
You think we boast?
We don’t.
This is the truth.
Look at us!
We are the fastest over any ground,
We pound,
With hooves as strong as stone.
Our legs like the strongest cord,
Take our word,
With hearts so strong they’d make a lion weep.
We’re the first up any hill,
No matter how steep,
We make all other horses ill,
At the thought they might have to race us.
"It is absolutely a good way to learn History. It is a sensible and extremely fun way. You don’t know how much you learn." Year 5 Charnock Hall Primary School
