Objectives Students will be able to
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1. locate Greece on a map.
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2. learn something of Greek life and culture
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3. recognize that the Greeks utilized basic lintel and beam construction.
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4. recognize the use of columns as a basic element in Greek construction.
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5. recognize the use of these basic constructions in their school, home, or neighborhood.
Note to the Instructor The discussion of Greece can be expanded into other areas depending upon how much time is available. It is advisable to have a number of illustrations and picture to show which can set the mood for a discussion of classical Greek Architecture. Again the class bulletin board can be used to give the theme some excitement.
Materials pictures, filmstrips, and books about Ancient Greece some basic kindergarten blocks for illustration purposes
Vocabulary post, lintel, beam, column, Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Composite, Greece
Procedures
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1. Show where Greece is on a map.
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2. If possible show a film on Greece and/or read from one a children’s book (check student bibliography) to acquaint students with the period.
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3. Acquaint students with pictures of the Greek temple which was built as part of the worship of their gods(You may want to read some myths to them during this portion of the unit).
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4. Explain that the temple is usually built using the column and a type of post and lintel construction.
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5. Make available some unit blocks or other types of building materials to demonstrate this to children.
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6. Tell students that there were five different orders.
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7. Relate the orders back to the lesson on houses and their human qualities by explaining that the orders are seen as a representation of the human form. The columns are often referred to as being male or female.
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8. Show examples of the five orders and how they differ.
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9. Allow children to utilize the building materials present to practice post and beam construction and making an order.
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10. If possible take children outside into the school neighborhood and have children begin to identify the use of the orders in porches, churches, the school itself if appropriate, etc.