Projects

Physical Education Olympic Field Day
Students will learn and recreate some ancient Olympic games.
Ana Reutinger
Pickett Elementary School in Lexington, NC

Two Introductions: the Olympics & the Odyssey
Students will be introduced to the Olympics and the Odyssey by comparing and contrasting.
Lori Thompson
Los Alamos High School in Los Alamos, NM

The Influence of the Ancient Olympics
Students will complete a pixel art activity about the ancient Olympics as an anticipation guide for studying "The Odyssey."
Lisa Byrd
Glen Rose High School  in Malvern, AR

Olympics Stations
In 2 days of station work, students will complete 14 stations (7 per day) covering various ancient Olympic events as well as cultural aspects of the ancient Olympics.
Sonya Shockey
Hedgesville High School in Hedgesville, WV

The Olympic Games & “the Things of the Gods” in the Hellenic World
Students will consider the relationships among athletic and civic excellence and the gods.
Carly Riisager
The Covenant School in Charlottesville, VA

Cynisca: Victrix Olympiaca
A Website with translation of Greek primary sources into advanced Latin and tiered into intermediate and novice versions; includes trilingual and bilingual editions, plus a digital novella.
Tom Garvey
Menlo School in Atheton, CA

Bringing Frescos into the Classroom
Students will mix their own plaster and pigments to create a ancient style fresco.  
Madeleine Jeffers
Plano High School in Plano, IL

Create Your Own Ancient Civilization
Students will develop their own civilizations using their knowledge of the ancient world and create artifacts for that civilization.
Kierstyn Bohl
Mashpee Middle-High School in Mashpee, MA

Lessons on Greek and Roman Writing
Middle- and high-school students with varying degrees of Latin proficiency will learn about writing in the Greco-Roman world in preparation for a community outreach event.
Noreen Kupernik
Thaden School in Bentonville, AR

Women in Sports: Introduction to the Heraian Games and Reflection on Women Athletes Today
In this one day lesson where students will learn about the Heraian Games, reflect on their favorite female athlete today, and construct something to honor their favorite athlete.
Heather Novey
Romeo Middle School in Romeo, MI

Women, Warps & Words: A Textile Project
Students will learn about textile production in the ancient Mediterranean world and will create textile materials in an ancient manner. 
Tara Ligon
Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati, Ohio

Eat like a Gladiator: Planting, Cooking, and Eating like an Ancient Superstar!   
Students will learn about the diets of professional athletes in the ancient world and learn how to grow and cook ancient herbs and prepare them.
Alison Wedding
Crossroads School for the Arts and Sciences in Santa Monica, CA

Roman Cheese-Making
Students will make soft cheese according to the method set out by the Roman author Columella.
Catherine Daun
Cicero Preparatory Academy in Scottsdale, AZ

Ancient Lessons: Kindergarten through 3rd Grade
Kindergarten students will create a mosaic, using unique patterns to fill in their name written with Greek letters. First grade students will experientially participate in Olympic events and then practice those same skills to compare and contrast Olympic objects, concepts, and events. Second grade students will explore the myth of Arachne and then learn how to weave with a simple loom. Third grade students will work in teams to develop an Olympic village and venue for the Olympics that will be held in 2030 in Los Alamos (wink, wink).
Cristin Haake
Piñon Elementary in Los Alamos, NM

Can You Prove You Are Hero-Worthy?
Students will follow several activities in either the social studies classroom or in a combination of PE, language arts, social studies, and makerspace for 6th graders.  
Mandy Palik, Huntsville, AL
Baku International School

Everyday Life In Ancient Greece
A series of lessons and activities to deepen a fourth grader’s understanding and appreciation of ancient Greek culture, including the exploration of archaeology, pottery, weaving, writing, and ancient Olympic games.
Randy Schmidt 
The Park School in Brookline, MA

Olympia: The gods of prophecy
Students will learn about the gods who inhabited the Altis and the oracle and prophets of Olympia with an opportunity to predict their own future using knucklebones.
Kimberly Martin
North Kirkwood Middle School in Kirkwood, MO

Host Your Own Greek Day!
Tools and resources for hosting a classically inspired "Greek Day" for middle school students - including creative activities, STEM challenges, and an Olympic Games.
Elizabeth Proctor 
Heronfield Academy in Hampton Falls, NH

Show Me the Money: Pliny, Trajan, and the Iselastic Games
A Latin text and commentary of Pliny the Younger to complement the new Advanced Placement Latin curriculum.
Ryan Sellers
Memphis University School in Memphis, TN

Modern Odes: Student Interpretations of Pindar
Students will analyze an ode from the Greek poet Pindar and recreate their own odes following his style and formula.  
Jared Clocco
Bernards High School in Bernardsville, NJ

Compare and Contrast Essay on Ancient vs. Modern Olympics
The purpose of this 4-day lesson plan is to enhance 7th grade students' understanding of the historical and cultural significance of the ancient Greek Olympics and their evolution into the modern Olympic Games. By engaging in a structured compare and contrast essay project, students will develop critical thinking, research, and writing skills.
Jamie Ball
Maryville Middle School in Maryville, MO

The Olympics as Propaganda
Lessons and activities for students to analyze propaganda from the 1936 and 1980 Olympics, critically thinking about the way sports are involved with politics, as well as learning skills for primary document analysis.
Kezia Dearden
Mountain Ridge High School  in Herriman, UT

Weekly After-School Enrichment Programs on the Ancient Olympics and Ancient Art for grades 3-8
Students will learn about and take part in a recreation of the ancient Olympic games; they will also create items based on the original construction methods.
Brad Savage
Oak Hill School in Flint Hill, VA

Ancient Greece: Geography and History Skills
Elements of Ancient Greece and the Olympics will be integrated into an existing unit on geography and history skills.
Susan Wickwire
Washington Middle School in Seattle, WA