Besides Greece being one of the most beautiful places on Earth, its history is rich with influence and worthy of being studied. The contributions of the Greeks were significant and have still impacted us today in philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and more. Even in literature and theatre, Greece has left a lasting legacy that still influences the arts in the modern-day. Explore these amazing resources for learning about Greece when teaching your kids about the nations around the world.
March 25th is the Greek Independence Day when the people of Greece commemorate the start of their War of Independence from the Ottoman Empire. The Greeks wanted independence and freedom as their people were oppressed by the Ottoman’s since the mid-1400s. This war became the very first significant war of liberation following the American Revolution.
Although this was an amazing feat, the Greek people made even more amazing contributions to the world that are worth teaching our children about. Greece was and is still widely known for its influential, unique culture and vibrant history. The Greeks had innovative ideas in philosophy, mathematics, literature, politics, science, drama and more. You can find just a few below.
Significant contributions of Greece to mathematics and science.
Greek intellectuals laid the foundations for modern math we still use today.
Pythagoras, of course, founded the Pythagorean Theorem and the Theory of Proportions.
Euclid founded the well-known collection of works, called Elements, that explained the principles that are now known as geometry.
Archimedes was a scientist and mathematician. In science, he invented the sciences of mechanics and hydrostatics, and discovered the laws of levers and pulleys. He also founded the center of gravity, one of the most fundamental concepts of physics. In mathematics, some of his most famous works were in the discovery of a surface area of a sphere, volume of a sphere, and the area of a parabola.
Significant contributions of Greece to medicine.
An ancient Greek named Hippocrates is known as the most famous physician. He developed systems of investigation for diseases and remedies. Therefore, he is considered the founder of modern medicine. The Hippocratic oath, which is the medical standard for all physicians is named after him.
Significant contributions in philosophy from Greece.
We couldn’t get by without mentioning Plato, who is known as the most important philosopher whose writings explored justice, beauty, equality, and more.
Socrates, the father of philosophy and Plato’s teacher, is known for the Socratic method and attempting to create an ethical system based on human reason rather than theology.
Aristotle was a student of Plato and a famous philosopher known for writing about biology, drama, logic, physics, and more.
Significant contributions of Greece in politics.
In 508 B.C., the Cleisthenes in Athens introduced the world’s first democratic system of Government.
Greece was once ruled by nobleman and was divided into poleis; independent city-states. This, of course, was until Alexander the Great united the mainland and established the largest empire in world history (Persian Empire.)
Significant contributions of Greece in culture.
Greek myths were once used to explain the changing of seasons.
To honor the Olympian gods, the first Olympic Games took place in 776 B.C. As we all know, the Olympics are still today a massive part of our world’s culture.
I know there is a lasting debate about whether Christians should teach our kids about Greek mythology.
However, find out why I think teaching Greek mythology is not bad in the article below:
Why Teaching About Greek Mythology in Your Christian Homeschool is Not Bad
Check out these resources to explore Greek mythology at home:
Greek Mythology Resources and FREE Printables
FREE Greek Mythology Worksheets and Printables
Greek Mythology God and Goddess Cards | Research Planet
Echo Echo: Reverso Poems About Greek MythsA Child’s Introduction to Greek Mythology: The Stories of the Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, Monsters, and Other Mythical Creatures (Child’s Introduction Series)The Adventures of OdysseusGreek Myths for Young Children (Stories for Young Children)
Even if you choose to opt-out of teaching Greek mythology, Greece is full of fun facts and rich history that will make a great unit for any student.
Here are some interesting facts about Greece your kids can learn:
Greece has the longest coastline in Europe and is the southernmost country in Europe.
Family is super important in Greece, and most kids live with their parents even after they get married!
Your kids will love to see images of The Acropolis of Athens, which was a runner-up for the Seven World Wonders!
The Greek alphabet was the very first to use vowels. (Cool fact: The word “alphabet” comes from the first two letters alpha and beta.)
The ph in words come from the Greek language (i.e., philosophy, photography, etc.). Do you have a Sophia in your family? Sophia means wisdom in the Greek language.
Thousands of islands surround Greece.
If you would like to explore more, then these resources for learning about Greece will be everything you need for a well-rounded unit.
FREE People of Ancient Greece Notebooking
Ready-To-Use Greece Worksheets | Kidskonnect
Ancient Greece Worksheets | TeacherVision
Unit Study Resources Ancient Greece | Premeditated Leftovers
Ancient Greece Printable Book | 123Homeschool4Me
Board Poster Project Kit Ancient Greece Display | School Project Printables
Greek Crafts and Activities | DLTK-Kids.com
Ancient Greek Worksheets | History for Kids
FREE Ancient Greece Printables for Your Homeschool History Curriculum | Blessed Beyond a Doubt
Ancient Greece Unit & Lapbook | Homeschool Share
Greece Booklet Country Study Project Unit | Beyond Imagination
Online Unit Study on Ancient Greece | Techie Homeschool Mom
Ancient Greece ~Second Grade | Ms. Duffys Dream
(A Country Study) Greece Writing Papers | Emily Bynum
Unit Pack Ancient Greece | TeachingWise
Greece Fact Booklet and Activities | TheBeezyTeacher
Ancient Greece Olympics STEM Challenges | StudentSavvy
Greek Temple Craft and Printable | Hide the Chocolate
100+ Ancient Greece Unit Study Resources | Hide the Chocolate
Ancient Greece Definition Cards | Research Planet
Hands-on Ancient Greece Unit Study | Blessed Learners
Ancient Greece Historical Figure Cards | Research Planet
FREE Ancient Greece Lapbook | Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus
Ancient Egyptian Games (FREE Printable Game) | Teaching without Chairs
Greece Lapbook for Early Learners – A Country Study | Starlight Treasures
Ancient Greece for Kids (FREE Printables) | The Natural Homeschool
FREE Ancient Greece Go Fish Game | Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus
FREE Printable Ancient Greece Lapbooks | How to Homeschool for FREE
Learn All About Greece! An introductory unit study for Kindergarten – Elementary Kids | The Homeschool Resource Room
Ancient Greece Mini Book for Early Readers – Ancient Civilizations Activities | Starlight Treasures
FREE Research Project Modern Day Olympics vs. Ancient Greece Activities | Promoting Success
Greece Word Search | Monster Word Search
Check out some books to go alongside your lessons.
Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid’s Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Greece (Build It Yourself)Ancient Greece for Kids Through the Lives of its Philosophers, Lawmakers, and HeroesDK Eyewitness Books: Ancient Greece: Step into the World of Ancient Greece from Greek Gods, Myths, and Festivals to tGreece: World Cultures Through Time (Primary Source Readers)
Greece’s influence can be seen throughout many societies in our modern-day. Whether it be in science, math, culture, the arts or language, Greek history will remain a vital part of the world’s history. Enjoying these resources for learning about Greece will be a great place to start with exploring this great nation.
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Jeannette is a wife, mother and homeschooling mom. She has been mightily, saved by grace and is grateful for God’s sovereignty throughout her life’s journey. She has a Bachelor in English Education and her MBA. Jeannette is bi-lingual and currently lives in the Tongan Islands of the South Pacific. She posts daily freebies for homeschoolers!
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