Scott Wilson

Lesson: Athens & Sparta cont.

Date: Wednesday, April 6th, 2016
City-States and Society
6th Grade, 20-25 Students, 40 Minutes
1. Lesson Rationale:
a. In this lesson, the students will analyze and apply their knowledge about two
of the great civilizations that we will discuss in Ancient Greece: Athens and
Sparta. The students will also learn the evolution of these city-states into
major powers, their governmental legacies, and their contributions to todays
society. Students will also be allowed to form their own opinions about the
two city-states while looking at each differing perspectives.
2. Essential Questions:
a. How did Athenian achievements affect modern society?
b. How were Spartans different from other Greeks?
3. Standards:
a. NJ Social Studies Standards 6.2.8.B.3.b
i. Explain how geography and the availability of natural resources led to
both the development of Greek city-states and to their decline.
b. NJ Social Studies Standards 6.2.8.B.2.a
i. Determine the extent to which geography influenced settlement, the
development of trade networks, technological innovations, and the
sustainability of early river valley civilizations.
c. NJ Social Studies Standards 6.2.8.B.2.b
i. Compare and contrast physical and political maps of early river valley
civilizations and their modern counterparts (i.e., Mesopotamia and
Iraq; Ancient Egypt and Modern Egypt; Indus River Valley and Modern
Pakistan/India; Ancient China and Modern China), and determine the
geopolitical impact of these civilizations, then and now
4. Objectives: Students Will Be Able To (SWBAT):
a. Comprehend, apply, and analyze the historical significance of Sparta and
Athens as well as their contributions to our modern society.
b. Compare and contrast events of the Ancient Greece to other civilizations
important events as well as why these two major civilizations had vastly
different lives and lifestyles while remaining so close geographically
c. Apply and analyze the perspectives of an Athenians and a Spartans point of
view when confronted with a challenge.
5. Lesson Opener:
a. Double Quote Analysis: Students are shown two quotes must determine
which of the two quotes was said by an Athenian and which was said by a
Spartan and explain why. Just because you do not take an interest in politics

doesnt mean politics wont take an interest in you. (Athenian). Come back
carrying your shield or upon it. (Spartan).
6. Procedure:
a. Step #1 2 Minutes
i. Hand back homework
b. Step #2 - 5 Minutes
i. Lesson Opener: Double Quote Analysis
c. Step #3 - 10 Minutes
i. Quick Review: What can you tell me about Athens and Sparta? Receive
one fact or one aspect of the two city-states from various students
regarding lifestyle, society, government, geography, language, etc.
d. Step #4 10 Minutes
i. Face-to-Face Activity: Students are given a worksheet with profiles of
two heads facing each other (attached). One head represents a
Spartan, the other head represents an Athenian. Students must give
ideas to each of these individuals by writing quotes and thoughts in
each persons head.
e. Step #5 10 Minutes
i. Students give examples of the ideas that they wrote on the worksheets
and defend their reasoning.
f. Step #6 3 Minutes
i. Closing Poll: Where would you rather live, Athens or Sparta? Ask as a
poll for students. Then ask why they gave that answer. Allow students
to give answers until class ends.
7. Assignment:
a. Face-to-Face Activity Sheet.
8. Assessment:
a. Closing Inquiry, Future Exams, Teacher Observations, Question and Answer,
Peer Assessment, Participation.
9. Materials:
a. Whiteboard/chalkboard, marker/chalk, projector, Face-to-Face worksheet,
Quotes
10.

Background Information:
a. Students have already been introduced to Athens and Sparta along with their
differences and similarities. This week students are taking the PARCC exam
so we have been instructed not to participate in heavy lessons and not to
give homework so students can focus solely on the PARCC test.

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