Building Mount Olympus

HEBRON - The seventh graders at the Hebron Academy Middle School recently finished “visiting” Ancient Greece. In their study of early mythology, they learned how to differentiate historical fact from mythological fiction. Ancient Greece is known for many things: philosophy, architecture, the arts, and its two most famous city-states, Sparta and Athens. Many of these societal pillars are historical fact, but the polytheistic religion of ancient Greece is filled with mythology. Mt. Olympus and the Olympian gods that lived on the peak were an enormously important part of Greek life in ancient times.

Using their mythology research as a foundation, the seventh graders completed a major project on Greek religion. First, they created a Mt. Olympus mosaic on their history classroom wall. Then, using a medium of their choice, each student constructed a representation of a Greek god or goddess for Mt. Olympus, using the mosaic as a backdrop. They also researched their chosen god or goddess and wrote a paper, which they presented to the class. The students developed a number of skills during the project: group work, developing and defending a thesis, written and spoken communication, and creativity. The project also touched on all of the learning styles - visual, aural, read/write, and kinesthetic - which allowed the students to engage better with their work.

“(Making the mosaic) was really fun, and the colors are fun,” said seventh grader Nathaniel Bennett. “It was good because we could work together to figure out what we wanted to do and there were good ideas. Now that it’s complete, it’s really cool!”

The Middle School at Hebron Academy is hosting an information session for its program on Tuesday, December 7 and January 11 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The school is celebrating 20 years as an independent day school for boys and girls in grades six to eight, inspiring and guiding each student to reach his or her highest potential in mind, body, and spirit since 1991. For more information, please visit www.hebronacademy.org or call 966-5225.

Photo:

MT. OLYMPUS - The Hebron Academy Middle School seventh graders are shown in front of the Mt. Olympus mosaic they created. From left are Elizabeth Everett (West Paris), Brigid Mulvihill (Raymond), Riley Hemmings (Hebron), Olivia Berger (Waterford), Isabelle Layman (Auburn), Owen Richmond (Mason Twp), JD Hodsdon (front-N. Monmouth), Chase Harkins (South Paris) and Nathaniel Bennett (Oxford).

Photo:

MT. OLYMPUS - The Hebron Academy Middle School seventh graders are shown in front of the Mt. Olympus mosaic they created. From left are Elizabeth Everett (West Paris), Brigid Mulvihill (Raymond), Riley Hemmings (Hebron), Olivia Berger (Waterford), Isabelle Layman (Auburn), Owen Richmond (Mason Twp), JD Hodsdon (front-N. Monmouth), Chase Harkins (South Paris) and Nathaniel Bennett (Oxford).