Ancient Greek Philosophy
Goals & Objectives
Students will demonstrate how Ancient Greek culture and the roots of western culture are connected.
Students will use a foldable to organize and outline information on philosophy and three ancient Greek philosophers. Students will illustrate and examine quotes from the philosophers and create connections to the themselves and the present.
California State Content Standards & Common Core Literacy Standards
California State Content Standards
Describe the enduring contributions of important Greek figures in the arts and sciences (e.g., Hypatia, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Euclid, Thucydides).
Common Core Literacy Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7
Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.2.D
Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.6
Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author's point of view or purpose (e.g., loaded language, inclusion or avoidance of particular facts).
Driving Historical Question
How have ancient Greek philosophers influenced people today? How are we connected to Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle?
Lesson Introduction ‖ Time: 5-10 min
Teacher will ask if students have visited the SPA in the world of philosophy lately. Students will respond with puzzled looks. Teacher will write S, P, and A on the whiteboard. Teacher will ask, “Have you heard of Socrates?” “What about Plato?” “and Aristotle?” Teacher will gage students prior knowledge by how the class responds. Teacher will then ask students about the term, philosophy and what it means. If needed, students will view a video on clarifying the concept of philosophy.
Intro to Greek Philosophy Video
Vocabulary ‖ Time: 5-10 min
Students will be interacting with these words throughout the lesson. They will be using the words verbally during discussion and reading about these terms in the reading excerpt.
Philosophy
Socrates
Plato
Aristotle
Wisdom
Philosophers
Content Delivery ‖ Time: 25-30 min
Pre-reading: Students will ask three questions about philosophy and/or any one of the philosophers before reading. They will place these questions at the top of the page.
During reading: Students will be utilizing the strategy, “Talking to the text.” They will interact with the text by highlighting unknown words, asking more questions, summarizing each section (intro, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle) in 5 words.
After reading: Students will engage in a Write Around activity where they will read and respond to a quote. Their responses should explain their interpretation of what the quote means, why it matters, and any opinion or feelings they have after reading it. They are free to write any personal connection to what the philosopher is saying or to another classmate’s response.
Students will demonstrate how Ancient Greek culture and the roots of western culture are connected.
Students will use a foldable to organize and outline information on philosophy and three ancient Greek philosophers. Students will illustrate and examine quotes from the philosophers and create connections to the themselves and the present.
California State Content Standards & Common Core Literacy Standards
California State Content Standards
Describe the enduring contributions of important Greek figures in the arts and sciences (e.g., Hypatia, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Euclid, Thucydides).
Common Core Literacy Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7
Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.2.D
Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.6
Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author's point of view or purpose (e.g., loaded language, inclusion or avoidance of particular facts).
Driving Historical Question
How have ancient Greek philosophers influenced people today? How are we connected to Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle?
Lesson Introduction ‖ Time: 5-10 min
Teacher will ask if students have visited the SPA in the world of philosophy lately. Students will respond with puzzled looks. Teacher will write S, P, and A on the whiteboard. Teacher will ask, “Have you heard of Socrates?” “What about Plato?” “and Aristotle?” Teacher will gage students prior knowledge by how the class responds. Teacher will then ask students about the term, philosophy and what it means. If needed, students will view a video on clarifying the concept of philosophy.
Intro to Greek Philosophy Video
Vocabulary ‖ Time: 5-10 min
Students will be interacting with these words throughout the lesson. They will be using the words verbally during discussion and reading about these terms in the reading excerpt.
Philosophy
Socrates
Plato
Aristotle
Wisdom
Philosophers
Content Delivery ‖ Time: 25-30 min
Pre-reading: Students will ask three questions about philosophy and/or any one of the philosophers before reading. They will place these questions at the top of the page.
During reading: Students will be utilizing the strategy, “Talking to the text.” They will interact with the text by highlighting unknown words, asking more questions, summarizing each section (intro, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle) in 5 words.
After reading: Students will engage in a Write Around activity where they will read and respond to a quote. Their responses should explain their interpretation of what the quote means, why it matters, and any opinion or feelings they have after reading it. They are free to write any personal connection to what the philosopher is saying or to another classmate’s response.
The Philosophers | |
File Size: | 710 kb |
File Type: |
Write Around Activity #1 | |
File Size: | 349 kb |
File Type: |
Write Around Activity #2 | |
File Size: | 348 kb |
File Type: |
Write Around Activity #3 | |
File Size: | 342 kb |
File Type: |
Write Around Activity #4 | |
File Size: | 352 kb |
File Type: |
Student Engagement ‖ Time: 10 min
Students will create a foldable that organizes their reading and understanding of each section. The foldable will have three tabs and will give students an opportunity to write about each philosopher. Each tab will provide provide defining characteristics, contributions to society, as well as visuals that represents each philosopher. On the inside tab of the title page, students will write an excerpt on the meaning and definition of philosophy and its modern impact.
On the back of the foldable, students can also compare and contrast all three philosophers.
Student sample is under "Resources"
Lesson Closure ‖ Time: 5 min
Teacher will have a class discussion about how ancient philosophy has impacted the world today and even their lives personally.
Assessments
Teacher will do constant checks for understanding during the lesson. These formative assessments will include:
-Check that all students are on task by walking around the room.
-Check for understanding by asking probing questions.
-Use 1-2-3 to gauge student understanding
-Check by asking students to raise their hands if…..
-Check that students are receiving the help they need by conducting class surveys.
-Check that students understand the material by skimming their responses during independent work time.
-Check student foldables to see if they have followed instructions.
-Check for visual representation of vocabulary words on the foldables.
The summative assessment will take place during the foldables activity. Evaluation of student responses in each section of the foldable will determine if the goals and objectives were successful for the day. Also, the responses during the write-around activity will determine if students were able to connect to the philosophers and each other in a meaningful way. If students were unclear of the terms and big ideas, the teacher will have to review the material the following day.
Accommodations for English Learners, Striving Readers and Students with Special Needs
The visual video in the intro will aid students with the difficult concept of philosophy. The foldable activity will also be a meaningful way to interact with the material by including visuals and information about the philosophers.
Resources
Student sample is below
Students will create a foldable that organizes their reading and understanding of each section. The foldable will have three tabs and will give students an opportunity to write about each philosopher. Each tab will provide provide defining characteristics, contributions to society, as well as visuals that represents each philosopher. On the inside tab of the title page, students will write an excerpt on the meaning and definition of philosophy and its modern impact.
On the back of the foldable, students can also compare and contrast all three philosophers.
Student sample is under "Resources"
Lesson Closure ‖ Time: 5 min
Teacher will have a class discussion about how ancient philosophy has impacted the world today and even their lives personally.
Assessments
Teacher will do constant checks for understanding during the lesson. These formative assessments will include:
-Check that all students are on task by walking around the room.
-Check for understanding by asking probing questions.
-Use 1-2-3 to gauge student understanding
-Check by asking students to raise their hands if…..
-Check that students are receiving the help they need by conducting class surveys.
-Check that students understand the material by skimming their responses during independent work time.
-Check student foldables to see if they have followed instructions.
-Check for visual representation of vocabulary words on the foldables.
The summative assessment will take place during the foldables activity. Evaluation of student responses in each section of the foldable will determine if the goals and objectives were successful for the day. Also, the responses during the write-around activity will determine if students were able to connect to the philosophers and each other in a meaningful way. If students were unclear of the terms and big ideas, the teacher will have to review the material the following day.
Accommodations for English Learners, Striving Readers and Students with Special Needs
The visual video in the intro will aid students with the difficult concept of philosophy. The foldable activity will also be a meaningful way to interact with the material by including visuals and information about the philosophers.
Resources
Student sample is below