5 Low-Prep Student Projects and Activities for your Ancient Greece Unit
Looking for some fun project ideas for your ancient Greece unit?
Our ancient Greece unit falls right after ancient China, and we squeeze it in before spring break.
Our ancient Greece unit falls right after ancient China, and we squeeze it in before spring break.
There are lots of fun elements to ancient Greece. And there’s an added layer of complexity for students, since each Greek city-state is unique.
In this post, you’ll discover 5 easy, low-prep projects and activities for your ancient Greece unit.
Activity #1 - Compare Sparta & Athens
This is by far the most popular activity for an ancient Greece unit. Sparta and Athens are arguably the two most popular (and most powerful) Greek city-states.
While there are many differences between the two, there are also quite a few similarities.
The options for how to demonstrate these comparisons are really only limited to your imagination. You could do anything from a classic Venn diagram, to a graphic organizer, or an elaborate digital presentation.
One of my favorite approaches to this activity is to do a jigsaw – put students together in small groups to learn about one of the city-states. Assign half the groups Sparta and the other half Athens. As students read, discuss, and learn about their city-state, have them fill out a simple organizer. By the end of class, they are experts on their city-state.
The next day, shuffle the groups to have both Spartans and Athenians in one group. Working together, have them complete a comparison chart – like a Venn diagram. It is always fun to hear the conversations this activity sparks!
While there are many differences between the two, there are also quite a few similarities.
The options for how to demonstrate these comparisons are really only limited to your imagination. You could do anything from a classic Venn diagram, to a graphic organizer, or an elaborate digital presentation.
One of my favorite approaches to this activity is to do a jigsaw – put students together in small groups to learn about one of the city-states. Assign half the groups Sparta and the other half Athens. As students read, discuss, and learn about their city-state, have them fill out a simple organizer. By the end of class, they are experts on their city-state.
The next day, shuffle the groups to have both Spartans and Athenians in one group. Working together, have them complete a comparison chart – like a Venn diagram. It is always fun to hear the conversations this activity sparks!
Activity #2 - Comprehensive Lap-book
Looking for a comprehensive project that covers all the essential core concepts?
These Lap-book projects are the perfect answer. Students can work together to gather the information. Then they are held accountable for the information through completing their own project. And you can support your students by providing them with templates to help them complete their projects.
These project serve as a great way to hands-on review material AND they can even be used as a project based assessment if you need it to.
These Lap-book projects are the perfect answer. Students can work together to gather the information. Then they are held accountable for the information through completing their own project. And you can support your students by providing them with templates to help them complete their projects.
These project serve as a great way to hands-on review material AND they can even be used as a project based assessment if you need it to.
Ancient Greece Lap-book Project Available in my TpT Store
Activity #3 - Mythology Exploration
If you have a week, this is a great research project for your ancient Greece unit. Have students sign up for a god or goddess of their choosing for their project.
Again, it can be as simple – like a poster – or complex – like a PowerPoint presentation – as you choose.
Whichever way you choose, be sure you are providing requirements and structure. A great way to do this, is with a project guide. Learn more about utilizing project guides in this Blog Post.
Again, it can be as simple – like a poster – or complex – like a PowerPoint presentation – as you choose.
Whichever way you choose, be sure you are providing requirements and structure. A great way to do this, is with a project guide. Learn more about utilizing project guides in this Blog Post.
Ancient Greece Notebook Activities Available in my TpT Store
#4 - Student Project Choice Board
If you haven’t started giving your students choice, here’s your sign that you need to start!
Sometimes there is confusion about what student choice actually entails. It’s not about just letting students choose anything, it’s about giving them options to choose from.
These Student Project Choice Boards are a great way to give students guided options for choosing their own projects that encourage them to explore and taking their thinking to the next level.
Sometimes there is confusion about what student choice actually entails. It’s not about just letting students choose anything, it’s about giving them options to choose from.
These Student Project Choice Boards are a great way to give students guided options for choosing their own projects that encourage them to explore and taking their thinking to the next level.
Ancient Greece Student Project Choice Board Available in my TpT Store
#5 - Ancient Greece One-Pager Project
Looking for something concise and rigorous for students? Then you may want to have them complete a One-Pager.
Curious to know more? You provide students with a list of elements to include on one piece of paper. The list should incorporate the main ideas of your unit.
Some students do really well with having flexibility to design their One-Pager. But others really struggle with that creative aspect. For those students, I strongly suggest you provide them with a template. Same good information, but with a little more structure and less stress for students.
One-Pagers also make for great substitute plans!
Curious to know more? You provide students with a list of elements to include on one piece of paper. The list should incorporate the main ideas of your unit.
Some students do really well with having flexibility to design their One-Pager. But others really struggle with that creative aspect. For those students, I strongly suggest you provide them with a template. Same good information, but with a little more structure and less stress for students.
One-Pagers also make for great substitute plans!
Ancient Greece One-Pager Template Available in my TpT Store
Ready To Roll Materials
Now that you have a few easy, low-prep project and activity ideas you are ready to get your ancient Greece unit planned out!
But if you are looking to save a bit more time, then you know I’ve got just want to you need with some materials that are ready-to-roll!
Ancient Greece Lap-book Project
Ancient Greece Student Choice Board Projects
Ancient Greece Lesson Sets
Ancient Greece One-Pager Project with Templates
But if you are looking to save a bit more time, then you know I’ve got just want to you need with some materials that are ready-to-roll!
Ancient Greece Lap-book Project
Ancient Greece Student Choice Board Projects
Ancient Greece Lesson Sets
Ancient Greece One-Pager Project with Templates
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Welcome! I'm Hillary Midgley, a veteran 6th grade teacher.
I create educational materials and develop curriculum for other teachers. I specialize in teaching students how to learn through my Study Skills Curriculum. I have established fundamental classroom systems and structures for teachers to help them streamline their classroom. And my passion is teaching ancient history through engaging activities with foundations in academic skills. Here you will find resources on all of these topics and more. Learn more about me here.
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