Josh Marks, a sixth-grade core teacher at Redwood Middle School in Saratoga, teaches Greek history as part of the sixth-grade curriculum. As an assignment, his students crafted scripts and produced plays about various Greek myths and legends for their own Festival of Dionysus.

"In accordance with traditions of Dionysus, they would have put on plays and there would be merrymaking, and along with it wine drinking," Marks said, adding that his students substituted nonalcoholic sparkling cider and snacks for the wine.

Plays included stories about Theseus and the robbers; Pandora and Demeter; Prometheus; and Atlanta, a Greek hunting and nature goddess and heroine. Marks said the plays made learning fun and interactive for his students, though they were still immersed in literature.

"He seems to be really getting into this," said Saratoga parent Roberta Marshall, watching her 11-year-old son, Chris Marshall, perform a play about Pandora's box. "He's not the kind of person who likes to perform in front of people. But he knows his lines—or at least we think so."

Marks teaches history thematically, following the journey of Alexander the Great. His students become the Macedonian Army, and chronologically the first civilization Alexander and his army conquered and ruled was Greece.

For their performances, students draped themselves in sheets and towels that served as togas, which slipped off occasionally because the students didn't all know how to tie them properly. Plastic swords were also fastened to their waistbands.

"I let them have some creative control," said Marks, who studied history in college. "I love the classics obviously, and I love giving my students a classical education. Plus, they get to use a lot of other creative talents you don't see every day."

Laughter rang through the classroom during the students' favorite scene in a play about Prometheus stealing fire from Zeus to protect humans. In the legend, Prometheus is tied by Zeus to a tree, and an eagle eats his liver, which the students depicted for their peers with giggles. Marks said his students studied both comedies and tragedies, but somehow even tragedies like this one turned into comedies onstage.

After seven performances and a trivia competition, the students voted on the best plays. Marks indicated that original spectators once voted for the best plays when the festival was celebrated between about the first millennium B.C. and the 4th century A.D. The winners from his class were given awards and crowned with laurel wreaths.

Sixth-grader Rishabh Jethanandani said the highlight of the festival for him was eating Greek food, such as falafels and pita chips. He said even though the play he performed with his classmates took research and dedication, his teacher made the learning experience worthwhile.

"Mr. Marks is strict, but he makes up these fun things we can do which are rewards," Jethanandani said.