It is with great pleasure that we launch the Transition Year (TY) micro-module “Exploring Classics”! This is a reformulation of the Classics Transition Year Unit to fit the new TY programme structure. The “Exploring Classics” micro-module has been developed in accordance with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) template and guidelines, and we wish to thank the NCCA, particularly Paul Behan, for all of their help.
We created the Access Classics Transition Year Unit in 2020 to facilitate second-level institutions in either introducing Classical Studies at TY level, consolidating their students’ learning of the subject from the Junior Cycle, or acting as a bridge into, or introduction to, the subject at Senior Cycle level. It has been wonderful to see how schools and teachers have used the Unit over the past six years, not only in Transition Year but also in after-school clubs and in teaching other subjects, taking advantage of the interdisciplinary nature of Classics. As such, we are delighted to be able to continue our involvement at TY level through the micro-module.
The micro-module is highly adaptable and can be used as a 10-hour or 30-hour module. It consists of three documents:
- Descriptor
- Teachers’ Manual (with lots of background information and guidance so that it can be taught by a non-specialist)
- Student-facing PowerPoint (with printable versions of activities and worksheets)
To download the Descriptor and Teachers’ Manual, simply click on the images below. The Descriptor is also available through the NCCA website. The student-facing PowerPoint will be available by the end of the week. We really hope that the micro-module will be helpful in bringing Classics to your students. All resources are free and downloadable. In return, all we ask is that you let us know if you are using the module! You can do so by emailing bridget.martin@ucd.ie or by filling out this brief form: https://forms.gle/2rzoegbez9HtpdjB6
The Descriptor of the “Exploring Classics” micro-module outlines learning outcomes, aligned activities and features of quality. The Descriptor is also available through the NCCA website.
This teachers’ manual contains background information, teaching plans, suggestions for lesson extensions and ideas for projects.
The manual is divided into eight sections:
- What is Classics?
- Accessing the ancient world
- Language
- Ancient art and artefacts
- Mythology: gods and heroes
- Sport and leisure in the ancient world
- STEM in the ancient world
- Politics and persuasion in the ancient world
On its way!!
This PowerPoint is created to complement the manual for teachers and contains additional information for students and easily printable worksheets.
We are very pleased to announce that we can now make available to teachers a Certificate of Completion for those students who have completed the Access Classics Transition Year Unit, or who have completed sections of it as part of a Unit. Just get in contact and we can tailor the certificate to your school!
Additional resources
Click on the images below to download a copy of the resources
2. PowerPoint on the Casino at Marino in Dublin. This short PowerPoint connects with Section 4 of the Unit: The Past in the Present by presenting students with an example of Classics in Ireland!
A short introductory PowerPoint on the Parthenon. This works as a brief introduction to the Parthenon, whose sculptures are discussed in Section 4.2: The ethics of museum artefacts.
PowerPoint on monstrous beasts and the hero Heracles for Section 2.3. This expands on some of the “monsters” encountered in the TY Unit and encourages students to see the importance of monsters, and particularly overcoming monsters, in ancient mythology.
In adapting the TY Unit to the micro-module structure, it was necessary to lose some of the resources. However, you can still access the original Unit by clicking on the image to the left.
