IDS Journeys to Time of Ancient Greeks and Romans

For immediate release
March 5, 2003
Tampa, FL

With the help of the Tampa Museum of Art, the sixth grade students at Independent Day School - Corbett Campus stepped back in time roughly 6000 years to view ancient artifacts left behind by the Greeks and Romans. Students were treated to one of the largest collections of Greek and Roman antiquities in the Southeast at the museum in downtown Tampa.


After a brief tour, students chose a piece of sculpture, pottery or metalwork to describe, interpret and draw. Largely used to illustrate the exploits of mythical gods and creatures, the artifacts helped tour guides introduce students to the colorful characters of Zeus, Hercules, Nike, Poseidon and Aphrodite.


The field trip experience is an example of how IDS teachers breathe life into the history curriculum instead of relying solely upon lecture and a textbook. Tapping into all kinds of intelligences - visual, auditory and kinesthetic- IDS social studies classes try to create creative, first-hand learning experiences that motivate and stimulate. This style of teaching is based on the idea that learning occurs best in a child-centered environment that takes into account individual differences.
For instance, sixth graders were assigned the task of recreating an artifact from the ancient cultures of India, China, Egypt, Greece or Rome. In addition, the students made a descriptive placard to accompany their chosen "artifact" after doing some research. Then, primary and intermediate students visited the middle school for an on-campus "fieldtrip" to see the ancient representations and discover a bit of world history at the same time. Some of the items on display were models of the Taj Mahal, Great Pyramid and Trojan Horse.


Social studies teacher Linda Boza says, "My favorite part of going to the Museum of Art is when the students get to choose an ancient item to study and sketch. Later they write about the artifact, imagining who owned it and why it was so special that it was buried with the owner. I believe that students benefit from getting 'up close and personal' with ancient artifacts. The students remember the history learned in this activity, but better yet, it makes them connect with people from faraway times and distance places."


Founded in 1968, IDS, recently renamed Independent Day School-Corbett Campus, is a fully accredited, nonsectarian, independent school located in northwest Hillsborough County. It serves 500 plus students in grades Pre-K through 8. At IDS, all children experience learning in a nurturing and highly academic environment focused on excellence and developing a positive self-concept. IDS-CC has become recognized as an exemplary school with over 900 visitors observing and learning from and with IDS-CC teachers.

For more information about IDS, visit www.idsyes.com.
Contact: Dr. Joyce Burick Swarzman, Head of Independent Day School-Corbett Campus
Telephone: (813) 961-3087