Greek Hoplite Shield

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This is a hoplite shield (hoplon, or aspis) modeled on the ones used in ancient Greece. The shields were made of wood with a thin covering of bronze, about 3 feet in diameter. In battle the shield rested against the shoulder and provided protection in the phalanx formation. Often the shields were decorated. The Spartans painted theirs with a capital Lambda. This project is for a 5th grade social studies unit on ancient Greece. The students will design a shield. Pictures and models of student designed shields will be added after the project is completed. Standards NGSS Overview and Background This is a hoplite shield (hoplon, or aspis) modeled on the ones used in ancient Greece. The shields were made of wood with a thin covering of bronze, about 3 feet in diameter. In battle the shield rested against the shoulder and provided protection in the phalanx formation. Often the shields were decorated. The Spartans painted theirs with a capital Lambda. This project is for a 5th grade social studies unit on ancient Greece. The students will design a shield. Lesson Plan and Activity Students will decide on the design they want on their shield Shields can be decorated in several ways A. Blank shields can be 3D printed and painted. This is the most authentic method. B. Shields can be designed in 3D by adding raised surfaces in a CAD program like Tinkercad. Students can make their design using geometric shapes on Tinkercad. Or they can draw their design and convert it into SVG, and import it into Tinkercad. Or they can find a monochrome image on the Internet and convert it to SVG, or trace and modify the design before converting it to SVG and importing it into Tinkercad. After printing the shields can be colored with paint or markers. Print the shields. Students will share their completed shields with their classmates and explain why they chose they chose their design. An optional stand is provided that can be printed and used to hold the shield upright. Project:  Hoplite Shield Objective Students will decorate a hoplite shield. Audience This is a 5th grade project. Preparation This project will be completed near the end of a unit on ancient Greece, so students will be familiar with the history and culture of that civilization. Steps Students will decide on the design they want on their shield Shields can be decorated in several ways A. Blank shields can be 3D printed and painted. This is the most authentic method. B. Shields can be designed in 3D by adding raised surfaces in a CAD program like Tinkercad. Students can make their design using geometric shapes on Tinkercad. Or they can draw their design and convert it into SVG, and import it into Tinkercad. Or they can find a monochrome image on the Internet and convert it to SVG, or trace and modify the design before converting it to SVG and importing it into Tinkercad. After printing the shields can be colored with paint or markers. Print the shields. Students will share their completed shields with their classmates and explain why they chose they chose their design. An optional stand is provided that can be printed and used to hold the shield upright. Results This project hasn't been tested with the students yet. Three example shields are included: a star designed created using geometric shapes from Tinkercad, a gorgon adapted from clip art, and a ducky from an original drawing.