Year 5 had an exciting and immersive experience this week when Portals to the Past visited to deliver a full-day workshop all about Ancient Greece. This engaging, hands-on experience brought our History learning to life and gave the children a fantastic opportunity to deepen their understanding in a memorable way.
To begin, we would like to say a huge thank you to all parents and carers for your support in organising such creative and impressive costumes. The effort that went into these was truly appreciated, and the children looked absolutely amazing. From tunics and armour to laurel wreaths and shields, the outfits helped create a real sense of stepping back in time and added to the day's excitement.
Throughout the workshop, the children explored what life was like in Ancient Greece, focusing particularly on the different city-states. They learned about daily life, including education, food, homes, and the roles of men, women, and children. A key focus of the day was comparing Athens and Sparta, two of the most important and contrasting city-states.
The children discovered that Athens was known for its love of learning, creativity, and democracy. Citizens in Athens could participate in decision-making, and there was a strong emphasis on education, philosophy, art, and culture. In contrast, Sparta was a highly disciplined and militaristic society. Spartan life revolved around strength, training, and loyalty to the state. Boys were trained to become soldiers from a very young age, while girls were also encouraged to be strong and fit. The children found it fascinating to compare these two very different ways of life and discuss which they would have preferred to live in.
The day was filled with a wide range of interactive and practical activities. The children took part in an Archimedes-style puzzle challenge, encouraging them to think critically and problem-solve, just as ancient thinkers might have done. They also played an Ancient Greek strategy game similar to chess, where they had to carefully plan their moves, attack their opponents’ pieces, and try to trap them—developing both teamwork and strategic thinking skills.
Another highlight was an interactive quiz, where children moved around the room exploring large information boards filled with facts about Ancient Greece. This allowed them to independently gather information and test their knowledge in a fun and engaging way.
The workshop also included a fascinating look at Ancient Greek warfare. The children were shown a range of replica weapons and learned about how they were used in battle, as well as why they were effective. They explored the role of soldiers, battle formations, and the importance of discipline and teamwork in warfare, particularly in Spartan society.
One of the most exciting parts of the day was the mini Olympics competition. Inspired by the original Ancient Greek Olympic Games, the children competed in a variety of events, including javelin. There was a wonderful sense of enthusiasm and friendly competition between the classes, and all children participated with great energy and determination.
To conclude the day, the children formed their own “army” and responded to commands given in Greek. This was a fun and energetic activity that really captured their imaginations and helped them feel fully immersed in the experience.
Overall, it was a fantastic day that worked perfectly alongside our current History unit on Ancient Greece. The children were highly engaged throughout, had a great deal of fun, and gained a deeper understanding of the topic through hands-on learning. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and curiosity, and they have already been using their new knowledge in class discussions.
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