1. Ancient Greek Coins Melissa Makortoff Ancient Greek coin creation Grade 7 The Greeks spread coins throughout the Mediterranean, but were probably not the first to use them

2. Social, cultural, historical context -coins were unique to each polis (city-state) because the poleis were fiercely independent -as coins circulated, cities started to mint their coins to the same weight standard -earliest coins featured figures, symbols and inscriptions → patron deities, heros, products -historical and artistic value -handmade

3. Background of one coin -Decorations: Athena patron goddess of athens, wearing a helmet Owl of Athens with olive sprig Inscription ΑΘΕ, which is short for “of the Athenians” -Tetradrachm (worth 4 drachmae) -Silver -Athens (Attica region) -Created after 449 BC (Classical period)

4. Reasoning/Justification Strong interdisciplinary connections: -Math (monetary systems, value, decimals, fractions) -Social Studies (ancient civilizations) -Creation of a classroom currency system Fosters appreciation for art within our day-to-day world (see big question: What is art?)

5. Lesson overview: Objectives Grade 7 Visual Art PLOs A4 create images using a variety of materials, technologies, and processes C1 analyse visual arts styles from a variety of social, historical, and cultural contexts SWBAT: Create a coin self-portrait in a similar style to that of the ancient Greeks (profile view, symbolism of images)

6. Lesson Overview: Materials + Organization Materials List: Cardboard, white paper/card, pencils, paints (silver, gold, copper, other), mirrors, scissors, circular stencils (or other method of creating a circle) Prep and set-up: Arrange materials in a way that prevents bunching Students must have individual space in which to work. Students must have access to mirrors during sketching/idea creation phase. Classroom arrangement: Studio style

7. Project steps and Processes 1: -decide on the size of your coin (the larger the coin, the more detail can go into your coin) -use a stencil (or other device) to trace the outline of your coin once on the cardboard and twice on the white paper -cut the cardboard and paper

8. Project steps and processes 2: -draw/paint your self-portrait in profile on one of thepapers -draw/paint the symbols of who you are (or what your city is) on the other paper -glue the paper circles to the cardboard circle.

9. Alternate ideas: Different media/materials: -Shrinky Dinks (environmentally costly, but shrinkage means more detail can be added) -Real metal (at higher grades) -Clay -Wood Coins from different times or locations Other art forms from ancient civilizations

10. Resources Fleur de Coin - Your online guide to coin collecting http://www.fleur-de-coin.com/currency/greek-coin-history Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek_art http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_coins Alpha Mom - Kids coin craft idea http://alphamom.com/family-fun/holidays/presidents-day-craft-kid-coins/ Mommy Labs - Cardboard coin necklace craft idea http://www.mommy-labs.com/creative-kids/art_craft_projects_kids/an-eco-friendly-cardboard-box- necklace-gift-for-me-and-some-gorgeous-mothers-day-giveaways-for-you/