Title

Sparcus the YoungerBack

line.gif (2060 bytes)

The English National Curriculum does not give much time to study in History in great depth. Because of the lack of time there is the risk of misconception when dealing with a subject such as Ancient Greece ... over 1000 years of History and Myth. 
  • Was Heracles real?
  • What about the Wooden Horse of Troy?
  • Did Archimedes meet Pythagoras?

Rather than deal with the whole of Ancient Greece we just deal with 26 years worth!! The war between Athens and Sparta.

We have two families. One from Athens and one from Sparta. We can read just like in a play or a soap about what happens to each member of the family at different points in time. The characters also interact, so by reading about one, you can infer things about others.

If half of the class read about Sparta and the other half read about Athens you have the opportunity for some pretty meaningful discussion. For example in Act 1

  • Sparcus the Younger & Poliphus the Younger deal with differences in boy's education
  • Carintha & Polonia raise the differences between boy/girl education
  • Trepula & Appala : the status of women in the two city states.

The teacher summary at the 'foot' of each Act gives the relevant 'history'.

Family 'Surfboards' are provided for each Act to help children keep track and note the main points.  There are also 'autobiography' sheets for each character that can be built up as the action progresses.

We apologise from the start for any offence that we cause to serious historians... but we haven't made it ALL up. If you would like to read our 'sources' for yourself then these are included. Most of it ACTUALLY happened. Have fun!!