Watch Out, Sparta!

World History, ninth grade...why not teach them the art of group cohesion? And what better way to do it than form them up in a Greek phalanx? World history teachers...try this. The kids figured out very quickly just how hard it was to maintain formation on the march and why it would have been important to do so. Of course...my crew tried to convince me it was okay to march phalanx against phalanx...to recreate the "pushing" tactic of antiquity and perhaps turn this into a class contest of sorts. But I think student injury would be a bad career move for me - so I passed. Still, they made a pretty decent showing against imaginary opponents. And for extra credit...I had them make their own hoplons. The creativity with my crew was unparalleled. I mean...check these kids out! Sparta would have never had a chance. 

With compliments,

Keith