Activity Overview
After students learn about the differences and similarities between two major city-states of ancient Greece, Athens and Sparta, students can create a T-Chart with images and text that can compare and contrast the city-states based on different categories such as: government, economy, education, and social structure.
Students Can Collaborate!
Teachers may wish for students to work together on this lesson which is possible with Storyboard That's Real Time Collaboration feature! With Real Time Collaboration, students can work on the same storyboard at the same time which is perfect for this lesson! As teachers know, collaborating on assignments allows students to think on a deeper level while increasing their communication and problem-solving skills. Collaboration can also help cut down on the time it takes to complete a storyboard. While there is no set limit to the number of users who can work on a storyboard at once, we recommend five users or fewer for optimal performance. All of our assignments default to individual. To make this lesson collaborative, teachers must enable collaboration for the assignment within the "Edit Assignment" tab.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Compare and contrast two major city-states of ancient Greece: Athens and Sparta.
Student Instructions:
- Using school resources, conduct some research and learn more about the government, economy, education and roles of women and enslaved people in both Athens and Sparta.
- On a T-Chart, compare and contrast the two city-states with information about Athens on one side and information about Sparta on the other side. Add appropriate words and images to describe each category. To find images related to ancient Greece, type “Greece” into the search bar.
Requirements: A minimum of 1-2 sentence description and appropriate illustrations for each of the categories: government, economy, education and women and enslaved people in both the Athens column and the Sparta column.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
After students learn about the differences and similarities between two major city-states of ancient Greece, Athens and Sparta, students can create a T-Chart with images and text that can compare and contrast the city-states based on different categories such as: government, economy, education, and social structure.
Students Can Collaborate!
Teachers may wish for students to work together on this lesson which is possible with Storyboard That's Real Time Collaboration feature! With Real Time Collaboration, students can work on the same storyboard at the same time which is perfect for this lesson! As teachers know, collaborating on assignments allows students to think on a deeper level while increasing their communication and problem-solving skills. Collaboration can also help cut down on the time it takes to complete a storyboard. While there is no set limit to the number of users who can work on a storyboard at once, we recommend five users or fewer for optimal performance. All of our assignments default to individual. To make this lesson collaborative, teachers must enable collaboration for the assignment within the "Edit Assignment" tab.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Compare and contrast two major city-states of ancient Greece: Athens and Sparta.
Student Instructions:
- Using school resources, conduct some research and learn more about the government, economy, education and roles of women and enslaved people in both Athens and Sparta.
- On a T-Chart, compare and contrast the two city-states with information about Athens on one side and information about Sparta on the other side. Add appropriate words and images to describe each category. To find images related to ancient Greece, type “Greece” into the search bar.
Requirements: A minimum of 1-2 sentence description and appropriate illustrations for each of the categories: government, economy, education and women and enslaved people in both the Athens column and the Sparta column.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about Athens vs. Sparta
Organize a Classroom Debate on Athens vs. Sparta
Engage your students in a lively debate by assigning half the class to represent Athens and the other half Sparta. This approach fosters critical thinking and helps students defend their research while understanding different perspectives.
Assign research roles to student groups
Divide students into small teams, each focusing on a specific category like government or education. This setup enables deeper exploration and ensures every aspect of Athens and Sparta is thoroughly covered.
Have groups present their findings to the class
Invite each group to share their discoveries with classmates. Presentations help reinforce learning and allow students to practice public speaking skills in a supportive environment.
Guide students to prepare arguments and rebuttals
Encourage groups to develop clear points supporting their assigned city-state and to anticipate counterarguments. This step sharpens critical thinking and persuasive communication.
Facilitate a respectful and structured debate
Moderate the classroom debate by setting clear rules and time limits for each round. Ensure students listen actively and respond thoughtfully, promoting a positive learning atmosphere.
Frequently Asked Questions about Athens vs. Sparta
What are the main differences between Athens and Sparta?
Athens was known for its democratic government, focus on arts, philosophy, and education, while Sparta had a military oligarchy and prioritized discipline, strength, and military training. Their economies, social structures, and roles of women also differed significantly.
How can students compare Athens and Sparta using a T-Chart?
To compare Athens and Sparta, students can create a T-Chart with categories like government, economy, education, and social roles. List facts and add images for each city-state in separate columns to easily see similarities and differences.
What is the best way to teach the differences between Athens and Sparta to middle school students?
Using visual organizers like T-Charts and incorporating collaborative activities helps middle schoolers engage deeply with the differences between Athens and Sparta. Storyboard tools with real-time collaboration make lessons interactive and memorable.
How can I enable real-time collaboration for a Storyboard That lesson?
To allow students to collaborate in real time on a Storyboard That lesson, go to the assignment’s Edit Assignment tab and enable collaboration. This lets multiple students work on the same storyboard simultaneously.
What categories should I include when comparing Athens and Sparta?
Key categories to compare are government, economy, education, and the roles of women and enslaved people. These areas highlight the most important similarities and differences between Athens and Sparta.
More Storyboard That Activities
Ancient Greece
This Activity is Part of Many Teacher Guides
Testimonials
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
