Upper Key Stage 2 Ancient Greece
True or False

Think and question like a historian. Explore different kinds of historical sources. Check the fascinating myths of the Trojan War and the Minotaur against primary sources. Record a MythBusters radio show. Research the lost city of Atlantis using a variety of means. Plan and perform a presentation for a TV History show.

Session 1 Sources of evidence

Objectives

History

  • Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources.

English

  • Extend confidence, enjoyment and mastery of language through public speaking, performance and debate.

Lesson Planning

Explore different kinds of historical sources; discover how to tell if a source is valid and reliable and then rate the reliability of the source.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To evaluate the reliability and validity of different sources about Ancient Greece.
  • To debate the reliability and validity of different historical sources.

Children will:

  • Explain different kinds of historical sources.
  • Explain how to tell if a source is valid and reliable.
  • Rate the reliability of a source.

You Will Need

You do not need any particular resources for this session.

Session 2 Myth busters

Objectives

History

  • Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources.

English

  • Extend confidence, enjoyment and mastery of language through public speaking, performance and debate.

Computing

  • Select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information

Lesson Planning

Check the myths of the Trojan War and the Minotaur against primary sources; plan, perform and record a radio show called Myth busters.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To find out the truth behind the stories by cross-referencing with reliable sources.
  • To plan and perform a radio show.
  • To record and share a radio show.

Children will:

  • Check myths against primary sources.
  • Plan and perform a radio show.
  • Use software to record audio and upload it to the internet.

You Will Need

  • Devices installed with audio recording application or capability
  • A web page set up to receive the audio shows

Session 3 Atlantis - truth or fiction?

Objectives

History

  • Regularly address and sometimes devise historically valid questions.
  • Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources.

Computing

  • Use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content.

Lesson Planning

Devise questions for a historical research topic about the lost city of Atlantis; research using an online search engine; discuss what makes a website reliable.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To devise questions and research the reliability and validity of the Atlantis story.
  • To research online and make decisions on websites' reliability.

Children will:

  • Devise questions for a historical research topic.
  • Research using an online search engine.
  • Explain what makes a website reliable.

You Will Need

  • Atlantis the Legend of a Lost City by Christina Balit (or similar)

Session 4 Dragon's Den

Objectives

History

  • Regularly address and sometimes devise historically valid questions.
  • Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources.

English

  • Extend confidence, enjoyment and mastery of language through public speaking, performance and debate.

Lesson Planning

Devise questions for a historical research topic; plan and perform a Dragon’s Den style presentation for a TV show.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To devise an investigation to decide whether Atlantis was real or a myth.
  • To perform a Dragon's Den style pitch for a TV show investigating Atlantis.

Children will:

  • Devise questions for a historical research topic.
  • Plan a presentation as part of a group.
  • Perform a presentation as part of a group.

You Will Need

You do not need any particular resources for this session.