No Prep Plans: Ancient Greece Science, Trade & Exploration – Mediterranean Trade

No Prep Plans: Ancient Greece Science, Trade & Exploration – Mediterranean Trade Routes Research + Group Project (Ancient Trade Map) | Grades 6–8

Help your students discover how Ancient Greece built one of history's first international trade networks! In this engaging research and project-based lesson, students investigate the goods, ships, ports, and trade routes that connected the Mediterranean world before creating their own Ancient Trade Map.
Designed for Grades 6–8, this ready-to-use lesson combines history, geography, economics, and critical thinking while requiring minimal teacher preparation.

This resource is part of the Ancient Greece Series and is also included in the Ancient Greece Science, Trade & Exploration Bundle.

What's Included
- Teacher directions with options for one or two 45–60 minute lessons
- Historical overview with mini research questions
- Collaborative project planning activity
- Online research resources page
- Student Trade Research worksheet
- Student Ancient Trade Map planning worksheet
- Student Trade Network Analysis worksheet
- Black-and-white versions of all student worksheets for economical printing

Students Will Learn About
- Major Mediterranean trade routes used by Greek merchants
- The "Big Three" exports: olive oil, wine, and pottery
- Imports such as grain, metals, timber, ivory, and spices
- Merchant ships and amphorae used to transport goods
- The Athenian owl coin and its role in Mediterranean trade
- How trade spread ideas, language, art, religion, and culture throughout the ancient world
- Connections between ancient trade networks and modern global commerce

Skills Developed
- Historical research
- Geographic literacy and map skills
- Economic thinking
- Critical thinking
- Comparing ancient and modern trade
- Collaboration and communication
- Planning and organizing information
- Cartography and visual presentation

Perfect For
- Ancient Greece units
- World History
- Ancient Civilizations
- Geography lessons
- Economics and trade units
- STEM and cross-curricular learning
- Research lessons
- Project-Based Learning (PBL)
- Independent or cooperative learning
- Early finishers and enrichment

Part of the Ancient Greece Series
This lesson is one title in the growing Ancient Greece Series, which explores the people, achievements, innovations, culture, and lasting influence of one of history's most remarkable civilizations.

It is also included in the Ancient Greece Science, Trade & Exploration Bundle, where students investigate the discoveries, inventions, technologies, engineering, trade networks, navigation, scientific achievements, and mathematical innovations that helped Ancient Greece shape the ancient and modern world.

Low prep. High engagement. Simply print, research, collaborate, and let students trace the sea routes that carried goods, wealth, and ideas across the ancient Mediterranean.