Lesson 9: 17th July 2019, 12.30-1.15 (Y5 x 14)
Lesson Objectives: to recap εἰμι and εἰ and to learn ἐστι
Welcome, settle
Pupils sat in the same groups as the previous weeks.
1. LESSON STARTER TASK: Language Detective p.22 [5]
DETAILS: In pairs and using whiteboards, the students tackled the Language Detective panel on p.22.
OUTCOME: There were no problems getting the correct answers, although some students found it more challenging to connect the Ancient Greek meanings to their English derivatives (e.g. ‘dry’ to ‘skeleton’). However, with some support from me and from peers, they managed.
REFLECTION: Getting the students to verbalise the derivatives to their root word is a valuable exercise in clear thinking. This can be a tricky exercise, so working in pairs is a good idea.
2. ACTIVITY: Grammar note p.23 [10]
DETAILS: We read through the panel gradually, with me pointing out that they has already seen eimi and ei (in ’tis ei?’). They practiced writing eimi and then their own name on boards. They then repeated this with ei and their neighbour’s name. For esti they choose the name of someone else in their class.
OUTCOME: Many students reflected that this is how they learn the verb ‘to be’ in both Spanish and Latin, making an excellent cross-curricular reference. I was saving the box on the paragogic nu for later, but one student picked up on it straight away. I explained to the class that it would make sentences easier to say.
REFLECTION: I didn’t have time to cover all six parts of the verb, but I think that the first three was probably enough in one go.
3. ACTIVITY: The story of Pegasus and Bellerophon [15]
DETAILS: I explained that I was going to read out the story of Pegasus and Bellerophon, and that as they listened, I wanted them to come up with some adjectives to describe the characters in the story. Once the story was done, the pupils were given pots of silk clay. They could then model any of the characters in the story, drawing on their choice of adjectives.
OUTCOME:
REFLECTION: Fifteen minutes was not enough! We could have done this for the whole lesson. It was very popular and the pupils came up with some enthusiastic and creative interpretations of the characters.
PLENARY: Exit tickets
…were sacrificed to the god of silk clay.
Basil Batrakhos and the Mystery Letter 