Perspectives on Government in Ancient Greece PBL

In Ancient Greece, people had very different perspectives on the government systems based on their role in society. In this activity, students don't just read and learn about each government system - they critique it based on their assigned perspective. This requires them to think very differently than just answering questions or completing a chart!

Students are creating a new city-state and have to choose which government system in Ancient Greece they want to use to govern their city-state. However, there is a catch! They have a specific perspective - military general, aristocrat, skilled artisan, poor farmer, woman, or slave. Students must critique each government (monarchy, oligarchy, tyranny, and democracy) based on their role, and choose which one would best protect their interests. Groups must then present the government system they are supporting to the new City-State Council and convince them to agree with them.

Included with this product:
1) Teacher Guide
2) Role Descriptions - brief descriptions of the 6 different roles (military general, aristocrat, skilled artisan, poor farmer, woman, and slave)
3) Research Packet - students research each government system and determine whether it would have protected their own interests.
4) Making a Choice - worksheet that guides students through choosing one of the government systems.
5) Projects - two possible projects are included that you can choose from. You could have students plan for and create a commercial advertising their government system, or you could have them design smaller campaign materials, such as speech, song, t-shirt, poster, or brochure.

In history, we want students to not only learn the information, but we want them to be able to analyze and critique it. We also want them to understand varying perspectives. This activity combines all of those skills!

Created by Harper's History