Grade 6 Ancient Greece Lesson Plan
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Ancient Greece: Government and Democracy

Ancient Greece | Substitute Teacher

Grade: Grade 6 Subject: Government Topic: Ancient Greece Type: Substitute Teacher Difficulty: Medium Style: Professional 1 Views
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Ancient Greece: Government and Democracy
Professional Lesson Plan

Ancient Greece: Government and Democracy

Ancient Greece | Substitute Teacher

GradeGrade 6
SubjectGovernment
TopicAncient Greece
Duration30 Minutes
Lesson TypeSubstitute Teacher
DifficultyMedium

Lesson Overview

Students will learn how government worked in Ancient Greece, with a focus on Athens and the idea of democracy. In 30 minutes, students will compare ancient Greek government to modern government and identify key vocabulary and ideas.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify Ancient Greece as an early civilization that influenced government.
  • Describe the basics of democracy in Athens.
  • Compare ancient Greek government ideas to government today.
  • Use key vocabulary related to Ancient Greek government.

Materials Needed

  • Board or chart paper
  • Markers or chalk
  • Student notebooks or paper
  • Ancient Greece map or image (optional)
  • Prepared notes or brief reading passage about Athens and Sparta (optional)

Vocabulary

TermDefinition
democracyA system of government in which citizens have a say in decisions.
citizenA person with rights and responsibilities in a community or country.
polisA Greek city-state, which acted like its own small country.
AthensA Greek city-state known for developing early democracy.
SpartaA Greek city-state with a different type of government focused on military strength.

Lesson Sequence

Do Now / Warm-Up5 minutes
Teacher Actions

Write on the board: 'What does it mean to have a say in government?' Ask students to think silently and write 1-2 sentences.

Student Actions

Students respond in notebooks, then share a few answers aloud.

Mini Lesson10 minutes
Teacher Actions

Explain that Ancient Greece was made up of city-states called polis. Focus on Athens and its early democracy. Briefly contrast Athens with Sparta by noting that not all Greek city-states had the same government.

Student Actions

Students listen, take notes, and answer quick oral questions.

Guided Practice10 minutes
Teacher Actions

Draw a simple T-chart labeled 'Ancient Greece' and 'Today.' Ask students to help fill in examples of how people participate in government in each.

Student Actions

Students contribute ideas such as voting, leaders, laws, and citizen rights.

Independent Practice / Exit Ticket5 minutes
Teacher Actions

Ask students to write one sentence explaining democracy and one sentence naming a Greek city-state.

Student Actions

Students complete the task independently and turn it in before leaving.

Support

  • Provide sentence starters such as 'Democracy means...' and 'A polis is...'
  • Allow students to work with a partner for the T-chart if needed.
  • Repeat key ideas orally and write them clearly on the board.
  • Use visuals or simple examples to explain city-state and citizen.

Challenge

  • Ask advanced students to explain one similarity and one difference between Athenian democracy and modern democracy.
  • Have students include the terms polis and citizen in a complete sentence.
  • Invite students to explain why not all Greeks agreed on government ideas.

Checks for Understanding

  • Ask: 'What is a polis?'
  • Ask: 'Which Greek city-state is known for democracy?'
  • Ask: 'What does democracy mean?'
  • Listen for correct use of vocabulary during discussion.

Closure

Review the main idea: Ancient Greece, especially Athens, helped shape the idea of democracy. Ask for one volunteer to restate the lesson in their own words, then remind students that different Greek city-states had different governments.

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