Building Global Connections in Greece - Athens
Since I was in Middle School, I have been fascinated by Ancient Greece. I remember studying the gods, goddesses, and heroes when I was in 6th grade. Having taught Ancient Greece for the last several years in History 6, my interest in and desire to travel to Greece intensified. Thanks to the generous faculty professional development we have access to at Brimmer, my dream of traveling to Greece become a reality this past summer.
Our time in Athens was incredible. We spent two and a half full days sightseeing in Athens. Highlights included climbing the Acropolis to see the Parthenon, seeing the Theater of Dionysus, and visiting the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. The Parthenon is one of the most recognized structures in the world and a marvel of ancient engineering. Dedicated to the goddess Athena and built in the 5th century BCE, the building is a symbol of architectural perfection that has been copied all over the world. It was truly spectacular to walk around such an iconic place.
The Theater of Dionysus is on the southern slope of the Acropolis. It was built in the 6th century BCE as a part of the sanctuary of Dionysus, during whose festival plays were performed. It was in this space that works by Sophocles and Euripides were first performed. As a theater lover, it was wonderful to stand in a place where modern drama was born.
The National Archeological Museum of Athens is considered to be one of the great museums as it houses the largest collection of Ancient Greek art and artifacts in the world, including the infamous Mask of Agamemnon. One of the most interesting exhibits was on the art and sculpture that adorned the graves in cemeteries in Ancient Greece, and how the loved ones of the deceased took very seriously the task of what would adorn a grave.
As much as I have read about Ancient Greece, my understanding of the country and of the key sites of this important civilization was enriched by this experience. Traveling to the places I teach our students about is something that fuels my passion, and I truly believe that as a teacher, the quest to see such places and experience the culture firsthand enhances the student’s learning in my classroom. Being able to experience it with my colleagues was a gift, and we are so excited to take what we learned and experienced in Greece as we look to revamp our 6th grade history curriculum.
Brimmer and May School
69 Middlesex Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
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