Unit Plan 20 (Grade 6 Social Studies): Ancient Greece—The Polis and Democracy
Examine how Greek city-states developed distinct forms of governance, with a close look at Athens—its direct democracy, institutions, and limits on participation—and trace how Athenian civic ideas continue to influence modern political systems.
Focus: Examine Greek city-states with a deep dive on Athens—structures of governance, direct democracy, and civic participation.
Grade Level: 6
Subject Area: Social Studies (Civics • History • Geography/Skills)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Students explore how the Greek polis shaped community life, law, and power. They compare governance models (monarchy, oligarchy, tyranny, Athenian democracy) and investigate who counted as a citizen, who was excluded, and how decisions were made through the Assembly, Council (Boule), and jury courts.
Essential Questions
- What is a polis, and how did it organize political and social life?
- How did Athenian democracy work in practice, and who participated?
- What democratic ideals and tensions from Athens still matter today?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Describe and compare governance structures in Greek city-states, focusing on Athenian institutions (Assembly, Boule, juries).
- Explain roles, rights, and responsibilities of different groups in Athens (citizens, women, metics, enslaved people).
- Identify key turning points/big ideas (polis model, direct democracy, citizen juries) and connect their legacies to later systems.
- Cite evidence from maps, visuals, and short texts to support claims about participation and power.
Standards Alignment — 6th Grade (C3-based custom)
- 6.C3.Civ.2 — Compare structures of governance (city-states, kingdoms, empires, republics) and decision-making processes.
- 6.C3.Civ.3 — Explain roles, rights, and responsibilities of members within different systems (who participates; who is excluded; obligations).
- 6.C3.Hist.4 — Identify turning points and big ideas (law codes, democracy, republics, monotheism, trade empires) and their legacies.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can diagram Athenian institutions and explain how decisions were made.
- I can identify who participated in Athenian democracy and justify how inclusion/exclusion shaped outcomes.
- I can use evidence from sources to argue how Athenian ideas influenced later governments.