5th Grade Greek Games
May 13, 2025
Harkening back to 776 B.C., each May the 5th Grade participates in the beloved Greek Games! This event offers the students a glimpse into the original Olympic games (or Pentathlon), where athleticism and beauty were revered, and complements their classroom studies of Ancient Greece by deepening their understanding and appreciation of how the Greeks lived and played.
A regional event, different Waldorf schools in the Northwest gather each spring to compete in javelin, discus, relay races, long jump and Greek wrestling, and the celebration is complete with an Olympic torch and a feast enjoyed together!
Donning white tunics, students are divided into mixed groups named for the city states of ancient Greece (such as Athens, Sparta, Corinth, etc) and rotate through the various activities with their new friends. A (mostly) non-competitive event, students strive not just for physical achievement—the distance of their javelin throw or the speed of their relay race—but also for grace and beauty of form—the reverence of their discus offering to the gods or the elegant composure of their wrestling stance.
When all events have concluded each student receives an Olympic-like gold medal, and laurel crowns are awarded for outstanding accomplishment (strength, speed, or graceful form) shown by individuals. To close, all schools gather together to sing “Glorious Apollo” in three-part harmony.
“Children who play together and learn to honor the graceful in each other in their youth in this way, will continue into adulthood to work together for the good.” (Waldorf Today)
