Classical Greek / Levels 7 and 8 / Engaging with texts / Accessing the ancient Greek world through Classical Greek texts
Content description
Read, comprehend and discuss Classical Greek texts, using vocabulary, grammar and textual cues, to explore the ancient Greek world
Elaborations
developing an initial sense of the structure and content of texts by inferring meaning from textual cues, for example, titles, headings, images or captions to images, maps
listening to simple sentences in Classical Greek to infer meaning, using aural cues such as ἆρα ἤδη πονεῖτεἐντοῖςἀγροῖς; ἐλθὲδεῦρο
determining the general sense of texts through initial holistic reading, by identifying familiar people, vocabulary, places or topics, for example, ὁ Λεωνίδας μάχεται ἐν ταῖςΘερμοπύλαις, recognising modern editors’ use of punctuation to guide readers
analysing sentences, identifying and explaining the function of inflected forms, for example, ὁ δεσπότης καλεῖτὸνδοῦλον (subject + verb + object)
identifying and discussing linguistic features in narratives, such as word order, use of interrogative particles, striking word choice, for example, καὶ μὴν καταβαίνειέκτοῦὄρουςκένταυρος μέγιστος
interpreting and commenting on language choices, such as patterns and length of simple and compound sentences, or use of direct speech, for example, ὁ δὲΚύκλωψτόν τ’ Ὀδυσσέα καὶ τοὺςἑταίρους ὁρᾷ καί, «ὦ ξένοι» βοᾷ, «τίνεςέστὲ καὶ πόθενπλεῖτε;»
explaining cultural references embedded in texts, for example, μηδὲνἄγαν
discussing cultural information implicit in Classical Greek vocabulary, for example, ἀνήρ, ἄριστος, σοφός, δεινός, ἥρως
exploring cultural elements implicit in language use, for example, vocabulary and expressions particular to specific gods and festivals, such as ὧ ΖεῦΣῶτερ/Βρόντιε/Ξένιε, ὦ Βάκχε/Βρώμιε, ὦ Φοῖβε, ὦ ἈθήνηΠρόμαχε
discussing cultural representations such as symbols, for example, the owl (Athena), trident (Poseidon), olive wreath (Olympic victory), the letter lambda (Spartans)
interpreting stated and implied meanings in texts and supporting an opinion with evidence from the Classical Greek, such as relationships between characters
