This book is a little different from the others we've read so far. It's divided into two parts, the first part features the usual discussion of the origins of Democracy and 'life in Ancient Greece', and the second section contains some art and cooking projects that children can do with adult assistance.
The book does a very good job, in my opinion, of describing the origins and practice of Democracy in very few words (two pages). It's coverage of Greek lifestyle is more-or-less the standard fair covering as much material as the other books we've used, in about as much detail.
So far, this has been the only book that has presented us with a timeline. It's very contracted (only 1/2 page and 7 events) but if you have kids that like such things it will give them some idea of the mega-events that fell between 2800 BC (Minoans on Crete) and 146 BC (Rome becomes the dominant player).
We're going to make the sesame cakes and I'll update this review with the results to let you know whether it's worth the time and effort. As for the other projects, although my daughter is constantly pestering me to make a peplos, I see little chance of that happening. The same with the paper mache vase project, and the fresco project that requires us to make a plaster casting.
THE SKINNY:::
I liked this book principally for how Greg Owens handles the sections on Democracy and the Peloponnesian war.
The artwork and photo selections are good.
I like the project selections, although they aren't something I think most teachers would want to tackle. Better for homeschoolers perhaps.
All in all, unless you are going to use the projects to flesh out your studies, I don't think this book rates a place on the home shelves.
Well written.
Hands-On Ancient History:
The History and Activities of Ancient Greece
by Greg Owens
Technical Stuff
No Reading information available.
Perhaps 3rd or 4th grade (?)
Here are the Contents:
The World's First Democracy
Life in Ancient Greece
Arts and Sports
Hands-On Ancient History
-- Sesame Cakes
-- Makes a Peplos
-- Paint a Greek Vase
-- Make a Fresco Painting
Glossary
More Books to Read
A Note to Teachers
Index
The book does a very good job, in my opinion, of describing the origins and practice of Democracy in very few words (two pages). It's coverage of Greek lifestyle is more-or-less the standard fair covering as much material as the other books we've used, in about as much detail.
So far, this has been the only book that has presented us with a timeline. It's very contracted (only 1/2 page and 7 events) but if you have kids that like such things it will give them some idea of the mega-events that fell between 2800 BC (Minoans on Crete) and 146 BC (Rome becomes the dominant player).
We're going to make the sesame cakes and I'll update this review with the results to let you know whether it's worth the time and effort. As for the other projects, although my daughter is constantly pestering me to make a peplos, I see little chance of that happening. The same with the paper mache vase project, and the fresco project that requires us to make a plaster casting.
THE SKINNY:::
I liked this book principally for how Greg Owens handles the sections on Democracy and the Peloponnesian war.
The artwork and photo selections are good.
I like the project selections, although they aren't something I think most teachers would want to tackle. Better for homeschoolers perhaps.
All in all, unless you are going to use the projects to flesh out your studies, I don't think this book rates a place on the home shelves.
Well written.
Hands-On Ancient History:
The History and Activities of Ancient Greece
by Greg Owens
- Hardcover: 32 pages
- Publisher: Heinemann-Raintree (2007)
- ISBN-10: 1403479208 and 1403479283
- amazon
Technical Stuff
No Reading information available.
Perhaps 3rd or 4th grade (?)
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