Fine arts

School clubs

sports

TED 2014

Well…schools were a lot different to the ones we have today. Much of the teaching was

conducted outdoors and children were taught Language, ( reading, writing ) mathematics

and science. But they were also taught music. Not just listening to it but playing it. It was

considered of equal importance to other abilities and that’s hardly surprising…can you

imagine your life without any music?

In ancient times…

A scene from a vase

So, tutors offered lessons in musicto both boys and girls

Ancient music lessons

Boys and girls received the same basic education but boys could also hire tutors or join a master in philosophy and science and continue his studies. Needless to say that even in a city like Sparta, where being a

soldier was the most important thing in their life, music was also considered important. It enabled people to move better, have rhythm and express themselves in poetry and drama.

Education was basically the same in most ancient Greek cities.

The market place in Thessaloniki

People met at the place

of the Agora ( market

place ) which was either

open or galleried like in

later Roman times.

People discussed

political issues,

philosophy and it was a

part of the culture. Part

of teenagers’ teaching

involved taking part in

talks and learn how to

argue ,close to modern-

time debate-clubs. The

ones that could stand

out hoped for a political

career!

Agora

An ancient play was by no means a simple thing.

Drama, theater, music and

dancing were considered

more than fine arts. They

were part of everyday life,

religious rituals and politics.

People attended theater

plays pretty much the same

way we attend church on

Sundays. In order to be

educated, spiritually

aroused and motivated.

They talked about gods and

people, conflicts regarding

ethical laws and human

laws.

Drama

The spectators sympathized with the characters, felt for their agonies .The acoustics of

ancient theaters enabled a lot of people to watch a play outdoors.

People were educated in a theaterand experienced a form of purgatoryknown as “catharsis” when the soul is cleansed from sin and doubt.

Children, teenagers and grown ups alike, were instructed to take exercise and maintain good

health. The saying of the ancients was “Healthy mind in a healthy body”. The gyms

were full of boys and men. In the case of Sparta, boys and girls were trained alike.

The Olympic games are an example of how important sports were. During the games any

cities in war had to have a truce.

Of course sports were an essential part of everyday life.

People paid attention to their physical condition that also proved

good mental condition!

Training was vigorous in cities like Sparta where men and women were trained to be fit soldiers.

We now consider fine arts, music, sports as fine activities that keep children happy but other than that they are not real hard core education. Few hours are actually spend over them and in some cases the teachers are not considered educators at all ! How many teaching hours are given to these subjects in your curriculum?

Well, in my school we only devote 4 hours every week!That’s 4 out of 35! That’s a big change!

Today, we teach more but something is lost on the way…

and it may be important!

So, what happens in most cases in public education?

We “pass the ball” to school clubs instead. That

way ,students can still spend time playing music, theater, do sports but in an informal way .

Every year we have a rock concert at school and students enjoy it. They

usually practice in the afternoons at school but everyone understands how

hard that can be! We also have a choir. They practice twice a week.

Sometimes they are good. Last year Santa texted us that if they didn’t get any better he wouldn’t come at all!

More clubs include chess and there is also a National Competition

every year for students.

They can use simple organic materials to

make…

There are also creative workshops

Creams and oils!

It’s actually a bracelet

My personal favorite is arts & crafts

It’s relaxing and fun!

Like cards to send…

eTwinning is also a good example of an occasion when students can create

projects

Paint bottles…..

And of course there are sports! They are perhaps the most popular activity

Our school has basketball, volleyball & football teams. They take part in an annual tournament in May.

The student council is another kind of school group that promotes collaboration

between students.

School trips thanks to eTwinning and Comenius are an envious club!

So, we need clubs to promote social skills, make students feel good about themselves

and integrate in the school community.But also to allow them to be educated in fine

arts, aesthetics and exploit some of their talents.

We weren’t made to sit behind a laptop all day long. Our body works in a different way.

We need other perspectives too in life.There are jobs that require just that.

And if you don’t believe me, then listen to George Lucas tell you himself of his vision of

a rather different model of education!

http://youtu.be/GwDXlA_6usI