Ancient Greece Time

Lesson Overview

Duration: 10 minutes
Class Size: 1 student (Reception)
Subject Focus: History
Topic: Introduction to Ancient Greece
Curriculum Links:

• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) - Understanding the World
• Developing a sense of time and sequence (ELG - Past and Present)
• Engaging with stories and history to explore the world and own identity

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the session, the student will:

• Recognise Ancient Greece as a long time ago and different from now.
• Identify one key feature of Ancient Greek life (e.g., clothing or a famous building).
• Experience a simple storytelling activity to connect with the past.

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Equipment and Resources

• Visuals: Bright, simple pictures of Ancient Greek artefacts, children’s drawings of a Greek temple, and clothing (toga, laurel wreath).
• Toy or soft figure dressed as an Ancient Greek (e.g., a simple toga made from cloth).
• A large sheet of paper and crayons for quick drawing.
• A small ‘time travel’ cardboard box/space to sit in (to stimulate imagination).

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (2 minutes)

• Begin with a warm, animated welcome: “Today, we’re going to travel back in time to Ancient Greece!”
• Show the student the toy figure and pictures. Briefly describe:
  • “This is what clothes looked like in Ancient Greece.”
  • “This is a famous Greek temple where people used to meet.”
• Use very simple language: emphasise “long ago” and “different from now.”

2. Imaginative Storytelling (4 minutes)

• Create a short story involving the toy figure living in Ancient Greece. Example:
  “Once upon a time, a little child lived in a big house with columns like these (show picture). She wore a soft toga and wore a leaf crown. Every day she played games and went to the markets with friends.”

• Encourage interaction by asking the child:

  • “What games would you play if you lived there?”
  • “What do you think this leaf crown means?”

• Invite the student to sit in the ‘time travel’ box and imagine themselves traveling to Ancient Greece. Use sensory prompts:

  • “Can you feel the warm sun like in Greece?”
  • “What sounds might you hear?”

3. Active Engagement and Drawing (3 minutes)

• Give the student crayons and paper.
• Ask them to draw something from Ancient Greece that they liked from the story (e.g., the toga, temple, or laurel wreath).
• As they draw, reinforce concepts: “That’s a great temple – the big tall columns show how special it was to them.”

4. Recap and Reflect (1 minute)

• Enthusiastically recap: “So today, we met a little child from Ancient Greece, saw their clothes, and talked about their special temple.”
• Praise the student for participation: “You travelled back in time really well!”
• Link to the real world: “Next time we’ll learn more about what they ate or played!”

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Differentiation and Inclusion

• For any fine motor difficulties, offer colouring stickers or stamps of Greek motifs instead of drawing.
• Use highly visual and tactile resources to aid understanding.
• Maintain a calm and encouraging tone, pacing according to the student’s responses.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observe the student’s ability to recall basic facts: Can they name something about Ancient Greece?
• Listen to participation during the storytelling and imagination phases.
• Note the drawing’s content for evidence of understanding or interest.

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Professional Reflection and Extension Ideas

• This short, imaginative lesson connects with EYFS goals by combining sensory experience, narrative, and creative expression.
• For next sessions, consider introducing Greek myths with puppetry or simple drama.
• Building on this, use chronological vocabulary (‘then’, ‘now’, ‘long ago’) to enhance temporal understanding in history.

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This lesson uses play-based learning and imaginative engagement aligned with the UK Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, fostering curiosity and foundational historical awareness. It is perfectly tailored for a one-to-one Reception session, providing maximum interaction and personalised learning.