Ancient Greece, Farsley Style

One of the highlights of the year in Year 5 is Greek Day and this year was no exception. The question posed at the start of the day was, “Would you rather live in the city state of Athens or the city state of Sparta?”

Athens was the most important city in the world at the time. It was home to artists, thinkers, poets and democracy. However, life for women was not as good as for men and were regarded as second class citizens, without the right to be educated, have roles in business or to vote.

Spartan life might have been more equal if you were a woman but life was harder. Learning to fight and serving in the army was a necessity for men. Women were expected to train too. That is, if you passed the test of being put into a bath of wine as a new born baby!

Each class spent half a day experiencing life as if in each city state. During the Athenian part of the day, the children made clay pots and performed a play. The Spartan segment involved learning how to fight and then take part in ancient Olympic sports.

During the morning, we also sampled some traditional Greek foods, which included pitta bread, olives, tzatziki and taramasalata. This was washed down with grape juice, freshly pressed from grapes grown at the school. The grapes this year were particularly sweet and flavoursome after the summer sun. Green grapes were grown under cover on the farm, while the black grapes were grown outside the south facing Year 5 classrooms.

Below are a few pictures from the week. For more photos, click here.

English

We have continued our Greek theme in English this week by creating our own mythical beast/monster and a hero to do battle with it. Over the next few lessons, we will write our own Greek myth using these characters.

The Christmas performance.

Christmas in Year 5 is the time when those with a desire to act have a chance to show their skills. This year, the show is titled What’s the Crime, Mr Wolf. The first page of the script has been given out this week for children to learn if they are interested in a major part. Auditions will be held next week. We are looking for children who can learn the lines, deliver them loudly and with expression, plus add actions that follow the stage directions. Additionally, some of the parts with a lot of lines will also have a song they need to sing, either as a solo or as a group. This might sound daunting but parts can be split between children if needed or if we have a lot of keen actors. Speaking roles are not compulsary. Children whose ambitions lay elsewhere can help with the props, lighting, sound and stage management. Roles will be confirmed before half term and scripts given out so that children have a chance to start to learn lines. Any questions can be emailed to your child’s teacher.

Have a great weekend

Mr Beevers and Mrs Kroon