Ancient Greek Sculptures and Mythology - lesson plan

Lesson plan - Ancient Greek Sculptures and Mythology

Subject Areas: History, Art, Literature (interdisciplinary / STEAM) Age group: 10–14 years Duration: 45–60 minutes Learning Objectives:
  • Understand the role of mythology and art in Ancient Greek culture.
  • Identify and analyze famous Ancient Greek sculptures.
  • Connect ancient sculptures with scientific and historical context.
  • Practice critical thinking and presentation skills.
Materials:
  • Printed images or digital presentation of selected Ancient Greek sculptures
  • Access to information about mythological figure
  • Student worksheets / summary template
  • Pencils/colored pens
  • Internet access or reference books (optional)
Lesson Structure: 1. Introduction (10 minutes)
    Brief teacher presentation:
    • What is Ancient Greek sculpture?
    • How do sculptures reflect mythology, beliefs, and science (e.g., anatomy, proportions)?
    • How have sculptures survived and what do they teach us?
2. Exploration Task (20 minutes)
  • Students are shown 5–6 different sculptures (in slides or prints).
  • Each student or small group selects one sculpture.
  • Using a worksheet, students research or read about:
    • Who or what is depicted
    • What myth is associated
    • What material and technique was used
    • Is it intact today or partially preserved?
3. Creative/Analytical Task (15 minutes)
  • Students summarize their findings in their worksheet.
  • Optional: Draw a simplified version of the sculpture or write a few sentences imagining what the mythological figure might say about their story.
4. Sharing & Wrap-up (10–15 minutes)
  • Students briefly present their sculpture and summary (1–2 minutes per student or group).
  • Discuss: What can we learn about ancient science and culture through sculpture?
Extension Activity (Optional):
  • Create a digital or 3D clay version of the sculpture.
  • Use Tinkercad or CoSpaces to design a virtual sculpture gallery.