Welcome to an exciting journey through the art and history of Ancient Greece! This engaging activity allows you to merge art and history seamlessly by exploring the fascinating world of Greek pottery. Created specifically for elementary students, this printable activity offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich cultural heritage of Ancient Greece while unleashing your students' creativity.
Ancient Greek pottery is famous for its intricate designs, vibrant colors, and distinctive shapes. Not only were these vessels functional but they were also exquisite works of art. Through this activity, students will have the chance to step into the shoes of Ancient Greek artisans, channeling their inner creativity to design and colour their own pottery pieces.
Let's begin!
Printable & Activity Objectives
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Age: 7 to 9 year olds, Activity Time: 1-2 hours, Items Needed: Colouring pencils
This creative art history activity will help students immerse themselves in ancient Greek history and culture. While exploring artistic expression, students learn about the significance of pottery in ancient Greek society as they design and colour their own Greek pottery.
It will help your child or student with:
Historical Context: Students can gain a deeper understanding of how art intersects with daily life, economy, and social structure by reflecting on the historical significance of pottery in ancient Greek society.
Artistic Expression: Students can unleash their creativity and experiment with colours, patterns, and motifs by designing their own artwork, while also developing their artistic skills.
Cross-Curricular Connections: Integrating art and history promotes interdisciplinary learning, helping students make connections between different subjects and develop a holistic understanding of the curriculum.
Let's get started!
Classroom Resources
Simple steps to start:
Research the rich history and masterful artistry behind pottery making in ancient Greece. Here's a quick introduction video about ancient Greek pottery:
Here's a fictionalised but interesting historical recreation of a day in the life of a highly regarded master potter in ancient Greece:
When students create Greek vases, you should encourage student reflection on various aspects of ancient Greek culture and art. Here are some questions to inspire reflection:
Symbolism, Meaning and Mythological Inspiration
What symbols or motifs will you include on your vase, and what do they represent in ancient Greek culture?
Can you tell me how you incorporate Greek myths and legends into your vase designs?
Artistic Techniques:
What techniques did ancient Greek potters use to decorate their pottery, and how can you incorporate them into your design? How can you experiment with patterns, colours, and textures to emulate the style of ancient Greek pottery?
Personal Expression:
When creating a vase, how does your personal artistic style influence your design? Also, how does ancient Greek art and culture influence your design? Do you feel the need to remain historically accurate in your design, or do you prefer to have creative freedom?
Get started on the printable worksheet!
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What's in the Printable Worksheet Pack
This printable activity pack consists of 6 creative printable worksheets. Here's what it consists of:
3 Printable Pre-designed Greek Pottery Sheets
3 Printable Greek Pottery Plain Template Sheets
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