Grade 5: SS. Greece Athens v.

Sparta
1 hr and 15 minutes
I. Objectives
Learning Objectives SWBAT compare and contrast Athens and Sparta by their governments
and city-state lifestyles.
Subject FCPS POS 7.a Explain the effects of geography on development and growth of
Greece
7.c Explain the growth of Democracy of Greece
VA SOL English: 5.1 The student will listen, draw conclusions, and share
responses in subject-related group learning activities.
a) Participate in and contribute to discussions across content areas.
d) Communicate new ideas to others.
e) Demonstrate the ability to collaborate with diverse teams.
Science: 5.7 The student will investigate and understand how Earths
surface is constantly changing. Key concepts include
a) identification of rock types;
II. Materials for Learning Activities
To be used by the teacher: To be used by the students:
SMARTboard-Athens and Sparta notebook Pencil
3 different color highlighters/pens
S.S. notebook
WOW Athens and Sparta wksts
WIO Comparing Athens and Sparta wkst
Chart paper
III. Procedures for Learning Activities
Introduction
5 minutes
LINK: RAP: How is the US democracy and Greek democracy similar?
HOOK: Today we are going to discuss two of the Greek city-states:
Athens and Sparta.
Instructional Strategies
15 minutes
Read the WOWs of Athens and Sparta. Highlight that Athens was a
Democracy, praised education, built beautiful buildings and traded.
Sparta was an Oligarchy, war-like state, harsh code of laws, and
were surrounded by mountains
Summary
10 minutes
Review the WIO: Comparing Athens and Sparta and complete
together calling on students with raised hands.
Extensions
45 minutes
Have a debate. Have students pick a side- whether they would
rather live in Athens or Sparta. Split the room and give students
approximately 15 minutes to prepare an argument to define why
their city-state would be a better place to live using their WOW
notes and chart paper.
Prior to the debate, review the rules of debate and expectations.
After debate, have students switch sides and create an argument
for the other side.
Explore the geography of Greece. View pictures of the environment
on the SMARTboard. As a review for science (rocks) ask students
what type of rocks are present in the pictures. Discuss how the
geography of Greece impacted the creation of the city-states.
IV. Assessment
Formative Circulate classroom and check for understanding- RAP what is
democracy? Comparing and contrasting Athens and Sparta wkst
Anecdotal notes on students contributions to debate.
Summative Greece end of unit project
V. Differentiation
Working in heterogeneous teams for the debate allows quieter
students to contribute to the task while outspoken students can
voice their groups points.
Read aloud WOW and WIO notes
VI. Technology Integration
SMARTboard