Download Greek City-States: Athens— Democracy, Education, and the

Greek City-States: Athens—
Democracy, Education, and the
Olympics (600-400 BC)
HISTORY
YEAR 1
LESSON
Desired Result
Children will understand that the Athenians valued democracy, freedom, education,
and strong bodies. They will see that the Athenians were able to honor their values
because they were self-governed and did their duties with a free will.
Academic Concept: The Athenians were very different from the Spartans. They
believed all men had a responsibility to be involved in the governing of their
city. Young boys had to be prepared for this responsibility while young women
were prepared to serve in the home.
Gospel Principle: Part of being self-governed means doing things that we are
responsible to do without being reminded.
Home Preparation & Materials
 Ask your children to come to class with an idea of what they would like to
have for dinner. They will need to present their idea and give arguments
about why their dinner suggestion is best. Tell them they will need to
convince the family that their idea is both desirable and practical.
 The Story of the World, Chapter 22—Sparta and Athens, “Life in Athens”
 Crayons or colored pencils.
 History Flashcards 1.19–1.29
Vocabulary
o
democracy—government by the people
o
statesman—one who understands true principles of freedom and uses them
to strengthen his country without seeking honor, gain or glory for himself
o
Agora—marketplace in Athens
31
o
Parthenon—a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena built on the
Acropolis in Greece near Athens
o
compelled—forced to do something
Introduction
Flashcard Review
 Review History Flashcards 1.19–1.28.
Attention Activity
I asked each of you to come prepared with an idea for dinner. Each of you will
present your idea and tell us why you think your idea is a good one. Give us as
much detail as possible. Tell us everything you would like to have for the dinner.
Tell us why your idea is one we would like and one that is practical for our family.
After each of us has had an opportunity to tell our idea, we will vote on one of them.
We will have the dinner that wins tomorrow night.
 Allow each child to tell his or her idea for a dinner. Discuss each option as needed. The
children can ask questions about the options or present counter arguments. You may ask
questions and give input as well. (For example, you may wish to comment on the cost or
healthiness of certain options.)
Now that we have discussed each option, let’s take a vote to see which dinner we
will have tomorrow night.
 Allow each child to vote on one of the options. You may wish to narrow the options to
two in a first vote and then take a second vote for the winner.
We have just participated in an exercise in democracy. The ancient Greeks in the
city-state of Athens were the first to introduce democracy to the world.
Lesson
Academic Concept: The Athenians were very different from the Spartans. They
believed all men had a responsibility to be involved in the governing of their
city. Young boys had to be prepared for this responsibility while young women
were prepared to serve in the home.
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HISTORY
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YEAR 1
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LESSON 31
Research
Athens was another city-state of Greece, but it was very different from Sparta. Let’s
mark Athens and Olympia on our maps.  Help the children find and mark these places.
I am going to read to you two stories about Athens in the days of Pericles (per uh
cleez). Pericles was one of the greatest statesmen ever known in Athens. A
“statesman” is someone who understands true principles of freedom and uses them
to strengthen his country. He doesn’t care about honor, gain, or glory for himself,
but only for his country. As I read, listen for ways Athens is different from Sparta.
 Give each child a copy of (1) The Parthenon Coloring Page. You may color this page
while I read the stories.
This building is on the Acropolis, a hill just above the Agora, or marketplace in
Athens. (The Agora is where the Athenians held their government meetings.) It is
called the Parthenon and was a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. The
Athenians thought Athena was the goddess of their city. That is why they called
their city “Athens.”
 Read Story of the World Chapter 22—Sparta and Athens, “Life in Athens” and (2)
Greek Boys and Greek Men.
Here are a few pictures of what Athens looked like, particularly the Parthenon, and
the Agora, where the forum was held and the laws made.
 Show pictures (3) Drawing of the Agora, including the Parthenon; (4) Ancient Agora
(trees cover much of what was the open meeting area); (5) Athenian Agora—Temple of
Hephaestus; and (6) Views of the Acropolis—Then and Now.
The Spartans wanted their children to grow up, obey the king, and defend their city.

What did the Athenians want their children to learn to do? (Govern well.)

What kind of government did the Athenians have? (A democracy.)

How did their democracy work? (The men of the city would meet together
in a forum in the Agora to discuss important matters, such as laws, taxes,
war, and leaders. They would discuss the issues and then vote on them.)

What responsibility did the men of Athens have in relation to their
government? (They had to be educated and informed about the issues
concerning their city.)

How did the Athenian boys prepare to take place in the democracy?
o
They learned how to read and write.
o
They learned how to do mathematics.
o
They memorized the poetry of Homer and studied grammar.
o
They learned how to play music and sing.
o
They learned to keep their bodies strong.
o
They learned how to contribute to the city as leaders.
HISTORY
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YEAR 1
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LESSON 31
251

What did the Athenian girls learn? (They learned to be homemakers, how
to manage a home, sew, raise a garden, take care of children, and manage
slaves. They learned how to make their homes run smoothly.)
Because the Athenians and the Spartans both valued strong bodies, the Olympic
games, which were started by the Greeks, were an important part of their culture.
Let’s do ten jumping jacks in honor of the Olympics.  Very young children may need
to just jump up and down or do some other activity.
Now let’s read what the Olympics were like in the days of the Greeks.
 Read (7) The Olympics.

What honors were given to Olympic winners? (They received a crown of
wild olive leaves and a banquet in their honor. Poets praised them. They
were carried home with honor by the men of the city they represented. Parts
of the walls were taken down and statues were built of them. They were
honored all their lives.)
 Introduce History Flashcard 1.29.
The Athenians were very different from the Spartans. They believed all men had a
responsibility to be involved in the governing of their city. Young boys had to be
prepared for this responsibility while young women were prepared to serve in the home.
Reason
Gospel Principle: Part of being self-governed means doing things that we are
responsible to do without being reminded.
The Athenians were brought up so they could someday help with the government of
Athens.

What duties did they have in order to fulfill that responsibility? (They had
to attend the meetings, be informed of the issues, speak when they had ideas
to contribute to the conversation, and make informed votes.)

Who made the men perform these duties? (No one. They were expected to
do them on their own.)
In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord gives us this same counsel. Let’s turn to
D&C 58:26–28 and read it together.
For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that
is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant;
wherefore he receiveth no reward. Verily I say, men should be anxiously
engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and
bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them, wherein they
are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in
nowise lose their reward.
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LESSON 31
Write the academic concept on the
board.

What does it mean to be “compelled?” (Forced to do something.)

What is the Lord telling us in this scripture? (He wants us to do good things
without having anyone ask us. We need to do our duty without being
reminded. We have the power to do this.)
The Athenian government worked because the men learned to govern themselves,
perform their duties, and contribute to the government of the city. We help the
Kingdom of God grow as we accept duties and fulfill our responsibilities without
being asked.
Relate

What are some things we can do “of our own free will,” the things we
should do without being asked?
o
Pick up my things and put them away.
o
Make my bed each day.
o
Do my chores.
o
Help bring the groceries in from the car.
o
Clean my dishes after dinner.
o
Turn out the lights when I leave a room.
o
Go to bed.
o
Get dressed.
o
Be pleasant.
o
Be places on time.
o
Do my school work.
When we are self-governed, doing the things we should do without being reminded,
we are better able to help Heavenly Father’s kingdom grow, just as the Athenians
were able to keep their city free and peaceful.
Write the gospel principle on the
board.
Part of being self-governed means doing things that we are responsible to do without
being reminded.
Review & Testimony
As directed by the Spirit share your
testimony of the gospel principle
you have taught. Using the
Handwriting Practice Sheets or
blank paper, record the academic
concept(s) and the gospel principle
learned today in the student
notebook.
Let’s review the academic concept(s) and gospel principle that we’ve learned today.
HISTORY
•
YEAR 1
•
LESSON 31
253
Academic Concept: The Athenians were very different from the Spartans. They
believed all men had a responsibility to be involved in the governing of their
city. Young boys had to be prepared for this responsibility while young women
were prepared to serve at home.
Gospel Principle: Part of being self-governed means doing things that we are
responsible to do, without being reminded.
Recess
Literature

Who remembers what we read in our book last time?  Allow for a recap.
 Read your history literature book aloud for 15 minutes. Underline history connections
with a purple pencil and gospel principles with a red pencil.
Record
 View specific age-group activities and assignments related to this lesson in the Online
Library. Age-groups are only provided as a guide. You should choose from all options
irrespective of age. Let children’s interests and skills and/or time available be the
determining factors.
Enrichment
 View additional individual or family enrichment ideas and activities to supplement or
prepare for this lesson in the Online Library.
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HISTORY
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LESSON 31