LONDONDERRY - Seventh-graders at Londonderry Middle School took a trip back in time this week as they concluded a month of studying the heroes, monsters and myths of ancient Greece.

Over the past several weeks, the preteens have been studying the ancient civilization in all facets of their curriculum, according to language arts teacher Joanne Troy.

Geography lessons centered on ancient ruins, while mathematics classes were centered on the teachings of Grecian mathematicians.

Early Wednesday morning, the students had the chance to chat with Troy's cousin, Pietro Leone, a resident of Acitrezza, Catania Sicily, via Skype.

Troy said that particular region of Italy coincides well with this semester's lessons, as Sicily is the site of many Greek myths and legends, including the story of Cyclops, a legendary giant with a sour disposition.

After the Skype session, all 180 students, dressed in handmade Greek costumes, piled onto four school buses bound for O'Neil Cinema 12 where they viewed a special showing of the movie "Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief."

Having read the book earlier this semester, the students munched popcorn and sipped soda as they took in the film, which tells the story of a teenage boy who learns he's the descendent of a Greek god.

The local cinema offered a discounted admission for the students, who paid $5 each for a movie ticket, a small popcorn and soda.


aguilmet@newstote.com