Greek art activities can teach art skills, art history, geography, ancient history, and more – all tied together with fun art lessons. You can even add a little literature and a fun snack to round it all out.
Why Teach Greek Art
Greek art is an amazingly versatile subject that connects various students and topics. You can combine lessons for children of all ages in your home through Greek art.
Greek Art Activities for Kids
Ancient Greek Art Fine Arts Lessons (Grade 5)
These wonderful art lessons include lots of great fine arts materials and learning about the various pieces and types of artwork from Ancient Greece. There are also some great hands-on art projects, including mosaics and frescoes.
The Games Olympic Art
The Olympics originated in Greece and are a great way to make Greek art relevant to students today. This course includes torch and laurel wreath chalk pastel painting lessons that are great for studying Greece and the history behind the Olympics.
Ancient History Art
The Ancient History Art course includes paintings from a variety of different cultures. There is an Ancient Greek Philosopher that would be a fun painting to do while learning about the different philosophers and other important people from Greece. There is also one depicting the Peloponnesian Wars.
Ancient Art and Music Appreciation (Grade 9)
While the lessons can all be used as a family or for various ages, these fine arts lessons are more challenging and in-depth than the fifth-grade lessons. They include vases and other pottery, as well as mosaics. There is also a video recommendation.
Greek Language Resources
If your students are enjoying your study of Greek art and Greek history, they may also enjoy learning a few (or a lot) of Greek words. Learning foreign languages can be a lot of fun for students, and in the case of Greek, it can also be helpful in understanding parts of the Bible. Students who wish to learn Greek will benefit from these resources. :
Elementary Greek for Homeschoolers (a three-year program designed for elementary students, but it could also be used by teens and adults.)
Word Up! Vocabulary (designed for ages ten and up, this program is a fun way to learn Latin and Greek roots)
Greek Literature
For elementary students, books like Magic Tree House Hour of the Olympics are great to incorporate into their studies. It includes factual information about Greece and the Ancient Olympics, with-in a fictional adventure story. Older students could read a variety of more classic ancient Greek texts. For example, the Odyssey or many of the New Testament letters. Both of the Art Appreciation courses include suggestions for art history books as well.
Greek Mythology Books for Kids – Children tend to love Greek Mythology because the stories are action packed and drama filled stories with adventure and fun rolled in! There are many great Greek Mythology Books out there for kids to learn and enjoy!
Greek Food Ideas
We think adding a thematic snack to any lesson is a great idea in our home. They are delicious and fun and help my students remember different lessons. For your Greek art activities, there are many Greek food ideas, from a tasty pita to stuffed grape leaves (you can cheat and buy these already made in a can at the grocery store). However, our favorite Greek food is baklava. If you are unfamiliar with it, baklava is a sweet dessert made with honey and nuts. It would be a fun treat to eat after completing your artwork or while discussing the fine arts lessons.
Greek art is a great way to integrate a study of Greek culture and history. The hands-on painting will help students remember all that they have learned. As Nana says, “I drew it, then I knew it.”
Dawn is a passionate follower of Jesus, wife to Chris, and homeschool mom of five. In her spare time she loves to read, hike, and write on her blog Schoolin’ Swag. She enjoys reviewing curriculum and helping moms find the right fit for their family.