A copy of the curriculum for Junior Cycle Classics can be found here.

Strand 1: Myth and daily life (Core)

Strand 2: Classical Studies Component (Option)

• The World of Achilles
• Rome, Centre of an Empire

Strand 3: Classical Language Component (Option)

• Ancient Greek
• Latin

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Resources

Click on the images below to download a copy of the documents

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Strand 3: Two classroom posters for handy Ancient Greek phrases!

You do not need to teach Ancient Greek for these posters to add something interesting to your classroom!

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Strand 3: Greek inscription materials created by Attic Inscriptions Online

We highly recommend looking at the amazing school resources made by Attic Inscriptions Online. While specifically aimed at UK schools, these resources, which are based on Greek inscriptions, are equally relevant for Irish schools and will offer a new way of looking at language and of thinking about ancient Greece. The website includes resources for different age groups, and you can also check out the YouTube channel here.

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Strand 3: Two classroom posters for handy Latin phrases!

As with the Ancient Greek posters, you do not need to teach Latin to use these posters in your classroom! These posters were kindly produced for Access Classics by Dr Louise Maguire, Head of Latin at Blackrock College, Dublin.

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Junior Cycle: Key Skills

• Managing Myself: Learning about different cultures in a time and space very different from their own allows students to develop a greater understanding of, and to reflect upon, their own place in the world, their attitudes towards others, and the modern world’s relationship with the past. In addition, engagement with the diversity of sources inherent in Classical Studies encourages students to reflect on their abilities and to make decisions in their academic lives that draw upon their personal strengths.   
• Staying Well: Classical Studies encourages understanding of society as a constantly evolving construct, encouraging students to reflect upon their relationship with their peers, community and the world as a whole. It encourages students to develop a healthy awareness of their place in and to critically engage with and question political and social concepts. In addition, Classical Studies encourages curiosity and respect for other cultures and people.
• Managing Information & Thinking: Classical Studies asks students to be curious about other people and cultures, and about how the modern world and modern concepts, for example in literature and politics, have been shaped by the past. The study of the Classical world calls for students to take ownership of, and reflect on, their approach to learning as they organise, evaluate and synthesise a diversity of sources and information.    
• Being Numerate: Owing to the diversity of sources used in Classical Studies, and their sometimes lacunose nature, students are encouraged to see patterns, trends and relationships across sources, time and space, while applying and developing investigative skills, reasoning and problem-solving. Gathering and interpreting data from multiple sources lies at the heart of Classical Studies.
• Being Creative: The mythology, epics  and philosophy of Classical Studies introduces students to a world of creativity and imagination, thereby encouraging them, in turn, to think creatively and to implement imaginative ideas. Students are given the opportunity to reimagine a world that now exists largely in ruins and to conceive of the day-to-day lives of people who lived thousands of years ago.
• Working with Others: The discussion-based nature of Classical Studies, which encourages a healthy and respectful exchange of ideas and opinions, encourages debate and collaboration, learning through and with others, and respecting diverse views.
• Communicating: Classical Studies touches on numerous concepts that call for reasoned debate, discussion and understanding. Students are presented with the opportunity to express and defend their own opinions, and listen to those of others, on, for example, attitudes towards women, death, war and political expansion in the ancient world, while drawing comparisons with their own world and experiences.
• Being Literate: The emphasis on in-depth analysis of texts in a variety of media, such as historical and philosophical prose and epic poetry, encourages students to critically engage with different types of literature and to develop their vocabulary and understanding of texts. This promotes enjoyment in reading and also clearer expression in written work and in offering opinions. Learning key words from Greek and Latin allows students to understand the etymology of some common English words and to gain a deeper understanding of the Classical world.