174 The Ancient Greek Civilization | Culminating Activities
Poetry Reading (Instructional Master CA-1)
Tell students that you are going to read a poem titled “Battle
at Thermopylae.” Tell them to listen carefully to fi nd out what
information is being shared in this poem. Discuss with students
what the following lines might mean, and help students to orally
summarize the poem with a sentence summarizing each verse.
Then have students use Instructional Master CA-1 to write their
own summary. (The Greeks were very brave and full of honor as
they fought against great odds to protect their freedom. Both
armies—one small and one large—suffered losses, but in the end,
only one could win.) Allow students to share their summaries with
the class.
Battle at Thermopylae
By Mary E. ForbesHonor sworn to lead the way,
Greeks who fought for another day.
Free from Persia’s army bound,
Thermopylae is target ground.Fought for freedom on this day,
both sides fall, but one will stay.
One is small, one has might,
who will win this freedom fi ght?Dinner Party
Materials: White sheets; various foods from Greece
Tell students that they are going to have a Greek “dinner party.”
Have students bring in a white sheet to wear over their clothes
like the tunics worn by the ancient Greeks. Remind students that
many Greek men, including Socrates and the other philosophers,
gathered together at dinner parties to eat and drink and talk about
philosophy and other topics.