Waldorf Block: G5: Fifth Grade Ancient Greece
In this Earthschooling Waldorf fifth-grade curriculum, the Ancient Greece block provides an immersive journey into the world of ancient Greece, focusing on both its history and mythology. This epic block contains 42 video lessons! This block will also prepare students for the Roman History block they will be doing in 6th grade. This block will cover the last of the four ancient civilizations – Ancient Greece. This block will also prepare the student for their Ancient Rome block in sixth grade.
- Exploring pivotal historical events: This includes the Persian Wars, the rebuilding of Athens, and the conquests of Alexander the Great.
- Introducing key historical figures: Students learn about the lives and contributions of figures like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Pericles.
- Diving into Greek mythology: The curriculum explores myths of Mount Olympus, heroes like Hercules and Perseus, and stories like the Iliad and the Odyssey.
- Experiencing ancient history and culture through engaging activities: This involves storytelling, art (like watercolor painting and form drawing), drama, mapwork, and creative projects such as dramatic reenactments.
- Connecting with universal themes: Students explore themes of courage, fate, and the quest for meaning embedded in the ancient Greek stories.
- Preparing for future learning: The block provides a foundation for the study of Roman history in sixth grade.
- Foster an appreciation for ancient Greek culture and its impact on Western civilization.
- Develop students' understanding of historical events and important figures.
- Engage students creatively through storytelling, art, and drama.
- Promote an understanding of the relationship between myth and history.
- Connect with the Greek ideals of truth, beauty, and goodness.
This block will also prepare students for the Roman History block they will be doing in 6th grade. This block will cover the last of the four ancient civilizations – Ancient Greece. This block will also prepare the student for their Ancient Rome block in sixth grade.
Living Lessons are video lessons where a teacher leads the class through the main lessons for this grade. You can use these lessons as examples to follow for your own teaching or can use them as supplements to your own teaching (we all need a break now and then. I would have loved to have these available on days I was ill or was taking care of my fussy baby). Scroll down to the class listings below to see the full syllabus and to view some free samples!
Do you want a FULL Waldorf Curriculum with Music, Handwork, Eurythmy, and extra Art Lessons?
Visit our fifth-grade Bundle HERE
Your Instructor

Nicholas Andrea now resides in the lush woodlands of northern Delaware with his family after spending the last six years teaching at the Asheville Waldorf School in North Carolina as a grades, music, and aftercare teacher. Nicholas earned his Waldorf Elementary and Music certifications at Sunbridge Institute in Spring Valley, NY. He is passionate about the Waldorf curriculum and believes in its ability to raise capable, compassionate, and creative human beings. After the birth of their son last October, Nicholas and his partner Cassie wanted more time at home with their baby which has led Nicholas to finding Earthschooling.
Nicholas is also passionate about music, speech arts, and history. Known in other circles as “The Bard,” Nicholas’s lifelong love of music has led him to a variety of instruments including world percussion, dijeridoo, flutes of various kinds, and Irish and Scottish bagpipes. He is also a published poet, and he spends his spare time plumbing the mysteries of world history in order to understand how we got where we are and where we go from here.
Course Curriculum
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PreviewWelcome and Introduction to 5th Grade for Students with Mr. Andrea (22:02)
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PreviewFree First Lesson: Ancient Civilizations: Persia: Lesson #1: Ahura Mazdao and Ahriman (79:47)
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PreviewFree First Lesson: 5th Grade Botany Block: Part 1: Lesson #1 – The Four Elements (92:08)
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PreviewFree First Lesson: 5th Grade Math Block 1 Lesson #1: Intro to Decimals (56:57)
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StartWritten Lessons for Fifth Grade Ancient Greece Block
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #1: Orpheus and Eurydice (78:23)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #2: The Greek Pantheon (78:11)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #3: The Story of Hermes (46:26)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #4: The Story of Apollo and Artemis (46:49)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #5: The Story of Athena (45:50)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #6: The Abduction of Helen (60:18)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #7: The Battle of Troy (48:46)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #8: Achilles vs. Hector and the Wooden Horse (42:38)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #9: The End of Troy and Odysseus Encounters the Cyclops (45:46)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #10: Odysseus’ Trick (49:20)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #11: Journey to the Underworld (40:01)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #12: The Sirens, The Sea Monsters, and The Cows of Helios (54:43)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #13: Odysseus Returns to Ithaca (44:33)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #14: Perseus Seeks Medusa (46:59)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #15: Perseus and Andromeda (49:35)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #16: The Minotaur (49:56)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #17: Theseus Saves the Athenian Youth (47:47)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #18: Heracles and The Nemean Lion (47:41)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #19: Heracles and Beginning the Twelve Labors (42:40)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #20: The Taming of the Mares (50:33)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #21: Heracles Captures the Sun God’s Oxen (43:23)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #22 – The Conclusion of Heracles Labors and His Death (52:58)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #23 – The 3 Tribes of the Greeks and the Oracle of Delphi (46:16)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #24 – Lycurgus The Spartan Law Giver (58:00)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #25 – Cynisca The Horse Chariot Champion from Sparta (49:38)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #26 – The Oympic Games (42:45)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #27 – Pindar the Theban Poet (47:56)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #28 – An Introduction to Athens (55:14)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #29 – Solon of Athens (53:57)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #30 – The Athenian Tyrants (42:54)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #31 – Education in Athens (43:29)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #32 – Themistocles (43:54)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #33 – The Battle of Marathon (50:18)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #34 – The Battle of Salamis (52:59)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #35 – Pericles and the Delean League (84:32)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #36 – Aspasia (46:04)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #37 – Phidias the Sculptor (107:58)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #38 – Sophocles, Euripides, and Aeschylus (55:33)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #39 – Socrates the Philosopher (51:55)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #40 – The Downfall of Athens and the Death of Socrates (41:52)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #41 – Philip of Macedon (48:44)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #42 – Alexander the Great Begins His Conquest (53:42)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #43 – Alexander’s Empire (48:37)
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StartAncient Civilizations: Ancient Greece: Lesson #44 – Block Review and Quiz (55:06)
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StartTHIS BLOCK IS NOW COMPLETE