Athens vs. Sparta


Social Studies Middle School Athens vs. Sparta
Students learn about the two great rivals of ancient Greece—the city-states of Athens and Sparta. They compare and contrast the two and explain which city-state they would rather belong to and why. Finally, each student chooses the role of a young Athenian or Spartan and writes imaginatively about their way of life.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

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Overview

In this experience, students learn about the two great rivals of ancient Greece—the city-states of Athens and Sparta. They compare and contrast the two and explain which city-state they would rather belong to and why. Finally, each student chooses the role of a young Athenian or Spartan and writes imaginatively about their way of life.

Objectives

  • Describe the social, political, and economic nature of Sparta and Athens.
  • Compare the city-states of Athens and Sparta.


Think about great rivalries. The Sunshine Showdown between the Gators and the Seminoles in college football. The Beatles versus the Rolling Stones in rock music. The United States versus the Soviet Union during the Cold War. In this experience you’re going to learn about one of the most important rivalries in all of history: the one between the two ancient Greek city-states of Athens and Sparta.

Objectives

  • Describe the social, political, and economic nature of Sparta and Athens.
  • Compare the city-states of Athens and Sparta


girls playing soccer

What is a real or fictional rivalry you know about?



If students are uncertain of what a rivalry is, define it for them: A rivalry is a relationship in which two sides are in opposition to each other, usually based on competition.


Rivalries are often seen as negative because they are based on some kind of disagreement or conflict. Are there any positive sides to rivalries? Post your ideas.

Post your answer

Discuss student responses. Some students might recognize a positive side to rivalries because they can encourage camaraderie among members on one side, they can encourage create thinking and hard work, competition can promote excellence, and so on.


When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.

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The Complete List of Learning Experiences in Classical Greece Unit.
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