Ancient Greece Wars

Overview

This 45-minute lesson is designed for Year 6 students and aligns with the National Curriculum for England, History Programme of Study for Key Stage 2. It introduces pupils to significant conflicts in Ancient Greece, focusing on developing historical enquiry and research skills. Through multimedia, group research, and class discussion, students will explore the causes, events, and impacts of famous wars in Ancient Greece.

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National Curriculum Links

Pupils should be taught to:

• id Understand the achievements of the earliest civilisations (Ancient Greece).
• id Study aspects of history or a site dating from a period beyond 1066 that are significant in the locality (contextual comparison).
• id Note connections, contrasts and trends over time and develop the appropriate use of historical terms.
• id Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources.

(Ref: National Curriculum for History, Key Stage 2, years 5 and 6)

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will be able to:

1. Identify and describe at least two famous wars in Ancient Greece (the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War).
2. Understand key causes, major events, and consequences of these wars.
3. Develop research skills by using a range of sources to gather information.
4. Use historical vocabulary relevant to warfare and Ancient Greece.
5. Demonstrate comprehension through group presentation or written summary.

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Resources

• Interactive whiteboard / projector
• Selected video clips:
  • Introductory video on Ancient Greek wars (3-4 min)
  • Secondary BBC Bitesize text on Greek warfare
  • Detailed video on specific battles (5-6 min)
• Printed source packs containing images, excerpts, and fact-files on the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars
• Research worksheets and vocabulary mats (with terms like "phalanx," "siege," "trireme," "alliance," "invade")
• Tablets or computers (optional) for further research
• Large paper and coloured markers for group work

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter (10 minutes)

• Engage Pupils with Video: Show the 4-minute video illustrating Ancient Greek wars to capture interest and provide visual context.
• Brief Discussion: Ask simple questions:
  • What do you already know about Ancient Greece?
  • Why do you think wars were fought?
• Introduce learning objectives and explain today’s aim to research two famous Ancient Greek wars.

2. Research Task (25 minutes)

• Group Organisation: Divide the class into 7 groups of 3 students. Each group receives printed source packs and a worksheet focused either on the Persian Wars or the Peloponnesian War.
• Research Focus: Encourage groups to identify:
  • When the war occurred
  • Who fought in it
  • Key events or battles
  • How it ended and its impact on Greek society
• Vocabulary Support: Use word mats to embed historical terms during note-taking.
• Teacher Role: Circulate, support enquiry, model note-taking, and prompt deeper thinking (e.g., "Why did these wars matter for Ancient Greece?").

3. Sharing & Consolidation (7 minutes)

• Each group presents a 1-minute summary of their findings to the class, using their notes and visuals.
• Teacher highlights key vocabulary and connects the wars to broader themes like city-state rivalry and democracy’s development.

4. Plenary (3 minutes)

• Quick quiz or oral question round to recall key facts and terms from the lesson.
• Ask pupils to reflect:
  • What surprised you most about Ancient Greek wars?
  • How do you think these wars shaped Ancient Greek history?

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Assessment

• Formative: Observe group discussions and presentations to assess understanding and use of historical vocabulary.
• Summative: Collect completed research worksheets to evaluate individual research and comprehension abilities.
• Self-Assessment: Encourage pupils to rate their confidence with Ancient Greece vocabulary and research skills.

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Differentiation

• Support: Provide differentiated sources with simpler language for pupils who need it. Use paired reading.
• Challenge: Encourage more able pupils to consider the wider consequences of war, e.g. effects on democracy or art.
• Engagement: Use visual and kinaesthetic tasks (drawing battle maps, timeline creation) for various learning styles.

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Cross-Curricular Links

• English: Developing note-taking, summarising and presentation skills.
• ICT: Researching and presenting information using digital media (where devices available).
• PSHE: Discussing conflict, cooperation, and consequences of war.

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Teacher Reflection / Notes

• Consider engaging with local historical societies / museums for Ancient Greek artefact visits.
• Follow-up lesson could focus on Ancient Greek democracy or culture shaped by these conflicts.
• Incorporate creative writing task imagining life for a Greek soldier or citizen during war.

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This lesson blends inquiry-based learning with rich multimedia and collaborative research, ensuring pupils meet the National Curriculum’s history objectives while fostering critical thinking and communication skills.