K ids don’t get enough art these
the Greeks to be the highest cultural
Not in their schools. Not in
achievements of their people — the
their communities. Which is why
defining moment in their society.
the only Homer some kids know is
The Iliad and The Odyssey set Greek
the one who can’t write his own
character in stone.
last name.The original Homer created
If these classic texts can get
epic poetry. Homer was a storyteller.
passed down all the way from the
A philosopher. And he’s credited
eighth century b.c., then surely we
with writing the most important
can pass them down to our kids
literary texts in Greek history. Just a
today. Make sure your kids get their
thought: Maybe your kid should
daily dose of art. Take them to a
get to know him.
Homer was a man of philosophy, not all-you-can-eat buffets.
museum or the opera. The experience
Greek gods. Achilles heel. Trojan horse. All of
will for sure do more than
these icons are brought to us by one
entertain them. It’ll build
very ancient dude — Homer. In The Iliad
their capacity to learn
and in its sequel, The Odyssey, he
more. In fact, the more art
presented Greek mythology in every-
kids get, the smarter they
day language. In over 25,000 lines of
become in subjects like
lilting verse, Homer describes bravery,
math and science. And
Composing The Iliad didn’t require an atomic reaction, but it did require art.
violence and lust in ancient Greece. These Homeric works don’t just weave a tale of Greek and Trojan warfare; they are considered by
READIN’
ART
’RITING ’RITHMETIC
Give your kids a chance to succeed. Up their daily dose of art.
that’s enough reason to make a parent say, “D’oh!” For Ten Simple Ways to instill more art in your kids’ lives, visit AmericansForTheArts.org.
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December|January 2018
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