Unit Title : Unit Goals: Teacher’s name:

It is important for students to develop a

Ancient Greece broader understanding on individuals whose
cultures differ from their own, to learn to Kaitlyn McGowan
except those differences, and to develop a
better understanding of the world around
them. It is also important for students to
become familiar with the different styles of
art used by many cultures around the world.

Lesson Title: Grade: Length of time:

Ancient Greece: Greek Pottery and Grade 3 2-60 Minute classes
Narrative Vessels

General Lesson Objectives:

Upon completion of this lesson, students will have an understanding of Ancient Greek pottery and the styles of vessels used by
drawing and cutting out a vessel of their own. Students will also be able to discuss the concept of Greek story telling by composing
and sharing with the class a story of their own.

VA.SOLs : Art SOLs:

English 3.2: The student will present brief oral reports using
visual media. a) Speak clearly. b) Use appropriate volume
and pitch. c) Speak at an understandable rate. d) Organize
ideas sequentially or around major points of information. e)
Use contextually appropriate language and specific
vocabulary to communicate ideas.
Art 3.11: The student will identify how works of art and craft reflect
times, places, and cultures.
Art 3.14: The student will identify common attributes of works of
art created by artists within a culture.

History 3.1: The student will explain how the contributions of

ancient Greece and Rome have influenced the present world
in terms of architecture, government (direct and
representative democracy), and sports.

Materials: Resources for lesson or parts of lesson-

advance organization to do before class: 1) www.incredibleart.org/lessons/high/Maria-Greek.htm
 Gather images to project through LCD 2) www.getty.edu/education/teachers/classroom_resou
1) Example of vessel shapes rces/curricula/mythology/lesson01.html
2) Images of Greek vessels with stories 3) http://www.classics.upenn.edu/myth/content/tools/m
 Teacher finished example edia/00000693.gif
 Half completed example (to work on during 4) http://www.ancient.eu/image/448/
presentation 5) http://greece.mrdonn.org/vases.html
teacher-
 LCD projector
 Bin of markers
 Bin of colored pencils
 Scissors
 30 11in by 14in sheets of bristol board paper
students-
pencils
markers/colored pencils (if they have them)
Vocabulary:
1) Vessel- a container for holding something ( similar to a vase)
2) Repetition- a form, shape, or symbol that appears over and over again

Anticipatory Set- Hook: (3-5 minutes)

Did you know that there are other ways of telling a story other than saying it out loud? The Greek used to tell stories by drawing
pictures onto ceramic pots.
( Show power point picture #1)
What do you think the story they are trying to tell here is?

Motivation:
1.Input- (Part 1- Background) (10-15 minutes)
The Greek used to tell stories by crafting pictures onto vessels. A vessel is a container made for holding something, similar to a
vase which many of you may have at home. Each vessel is made hollow/empty on the inside and were usually used for holding
things such as oil, food, or wine.
(Show PowerPoint of vessel templates)
Here are some examples of Ancient Greek vessels. Notice how they are made in all different shapes and sizes. What are some
things you guys notice about the vessels? What is the same? What is different?
(Show PowerPoint images of vessels with stories)
Here are some examples of the vessels with a picture story on them. Some vessels told stories of daily life and others told stories
of war and heroes. What do you guys notice about these vessels? What story do you think they were telling? Notice how they
used lines to make sections. The Greeks loved to use repetition when creating their stories on vessels. Repetition is when a form,
symbol, or shape appears over and over again. Can anyone find any repetition?
(Part 2-Assignment) (5 minutes)
Today you guys will be start creating your own vessels! First, with a pencil you will draw an outline of a vessel style of your choice
and then cut it out with scissors. I will leave the overhead projector up with the picture of the different styles of vessels for you to
look at while you’re working. Once you cut out your vessel, you will then be creating a story of your own to put on your vessel. Your
story can be a story you already know or it can be one that you make up! Your story will be done in color pencil, marker or both.
You can draw it first in pencil then add color if you would like, or you can just dive on in with the color! You will probably only have
enough time to draw your vessel, cut it out, and start drawing your story today. Next time when we meet the first half of class you
will be finishing your vessels and then the second half you will get up in front of the class, one at a time, and tell us your story!

2. Modeling/ Demo- (5 minutes)

To begin you will draw your vessel with pencil.(Hold up blank drawn vessel example) When you drawing the outline of your vessel
you will cut it out like this…. (Cut out vessel in front of class, then tape it to chalkboard). Please be sure to throw all scrap papers in
the trash please! Once your vessel is completely cut out, you can then begin drawing your story! Here is an example of a vessel
that I made.… (Hold up vessel, Pass it around, then tape it to the board)
3. Directions:
 Draw vessel outline with a pencil on a piece of Bristol board paper.
 Using scissors, cut out the shape of the vessel.
 Using colored pencil, marker, or both to create a story of your own on your vessel.
 Present finished product out loud, one at a time, to the class.
4. Ck. for understanding: Does everyone understand? Does anyone have any questions? If you have any questions at any time
about the project just raise your hand and I would be happy to help you!

Guided Practice- No guided practice

Distribute materials: (2 minutes) Closure- can be in any order

-I will pass out a sheet of Bristol board paper to each
student in the class.
-I will give a pair of scissors to each row of students; they
are to share the scissors among their row.
-I will have two buckets of markers and two buckets of
colored pencils (one on each side of the classroom), have
of the class with use one set of buckets and the other half
will use the other. Students are allowed a total of 4
markers/colored pencils at a time; they must put back
colors in order to get new ones. If students have colored
pencils or markers of their own they are welcome to use
them.
Independent Practice-
Students will draw and cut out their vessel shapes.(10-15
minutes)
Students will also independently create and draw a story
of their own on their vessel. (1st class:10-15 minutes)
(2nd class: 25-30 minutes)
1.Clean- up- Students will be allotted 5-7 minutes to throw away all
of their trash, return all colored pencils and markers to their correct
bins, wash their hands, and turn their vessel into me ( I will hold on to
them until next class).
2. Critique questions- (5-10 minutes; Critique & Summary)
1) (Pointing to a picture of a vessel) What is this called?
2) Who was known for making these?
3) What is the purpose of a vessel?
4) What are some other things you learned about vessels?
3. Summary- Throughout the past two classes we have learned that
there are other ways of telling stories instead of saying them out loud.
The ancient Greeks were famous for telling stories in the form of
pictures. They would draw these pictures on empty “vase-like”
containers made of clay which were known as vessels. The Greeks
also liked to use patterns and repetition, which was when they used a
form or shape over and over again.

Evaluation of student work- Modifications

-spec. ed- If needed I could print out a template of a vessel that they
could cut out and then create their story on that. OR I could print out a
copy of the different vessel styles and have them put it on their desk
when creating their vessel.

-gifted- Student will create a report on this artistic style.

- if done early- The student can try and make a second vessel or
work on other homework they might have.

(Reflections-would be after project taught- so skip this now)