In Grade 5, the ancient civilizations are taught in several main lesson blocks covering Ancient India, Ancient Persia, Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient China and culminating with Ancient Greece. Ancient Greece is a central theme to the Grade 5 curriculum.

As the Grade 5 student aged 10 to 12 years old is in their “Golden Age” of childhood having overcome the challenges of the Nine-Year-Change and have yet to experience the challenges of puberty, these children are seen as being in beautiful harmony between the imaginative wonder of childhood and the analytical thinking that develops more strongly after puberty.  This is also a time when children are physically balanced. They haven’t yet experienced the growth spurts that accompany puberty when their limbs become elongated quickly, causing clumsiness and discoordination.

The Grade 5 student experiences this beautiful calm harmony that is mirrored in the lessons of Ancient Greece and stories of the gods and goddesses, The perfection of geometry, as seen in the division of a circle, the reflection of geometry in the botanical world, as well as in the cosmos. These lessons in astronomy, botany, geometry, and Ancient Greece are not only attractive to the Grade 5 student, but support their spiritual, mental, emotional and physical development.

The Greece main lesson block comes after the ancient civilization main lesson blocks of Grade 5. With the introduction of Ancient Greece, students will hear the myths of the Greek gods and goddesses, the Olympians heroes such as Hercules, Perseus and Theseus and the epic tale of the Iliad and the Odyssey. These lessons mix myth and history, yet connect the students to moral struggles, courage, destiny, and human fallibility.

Following these stories, lessons on the Persian wars, the rise of Athens, Sparta and the beginnings of democracy are introduced in story form. The Ancient Greece main lesson block is a wonderful opportunity for students to dramatize or retell famous moments, like the Battle of Marathon. In the study of architecture, sculpture, drama, and philosophy, students are exposed to beauty, perfection and the grace of Ancient Greek culture.

The artistic representation of the Ancient Greek lessons are in sharp contrast with those presented in Ancient India. Whereas in the Ancient India main lesson block, watercoloring was a suitable art medium to represent the reverence and dreamlike imagery of the lessons, Ancient Greek artistry is based on geometric forms and architecture. This is an opportunity for students to practice precision in their illustrations.

Poetry and recitations are emphasized during this main lesson block. A highlight of the Grade 5 year are the Olympics. Children from multiple Waldorf schools or co-ops gather together to participate in a one day pentathlon. Students compete in events like running, javelin, discus, long jump, and wrestling. The events are conducted with reverence, grace and fairness, reflecting the Greek ideal of harmony between physical strength and moral character.

Whereas previous history main lesson blocks focused on spiritual reverence rather than analytical reflections of recorded history, Ancient Greece shows the transition from mythical consciousness to the beginning of historical thought and rational philosophy. Students see how human beings began to seek truth, beauty, and justice in a conscious way. This main lesson block helps foster an appreciation for beauty, and a respect for balance and harmony in life, and aspiration for moral conduct. These themes are reflected in the students’ development.