Sparta versus Athens

Subject Area(s):

• K-12: Language Arts
• Social Studies(general)

Grade Level(s):

• 5th-6th Grade

Description:

Students will explore the ancient societies of Sparta and Athens through the use of both online and print sources. After collecting information on each culture, students will write a comparative essay examining various aspects of these societies.

Goals & Objectives:

Objectives:

• Students will be able to effectively locate reliable sources pertaining to Sparta and Athens, as they locate one Internet article and one encyclopedia article on both Athens and Sparta 
• Students will be able to identify what they found most useful/ difficult about searching online versus utilizing print sources such as encyclopedias 
• Students will be able to paraphrase these articles in order to write a comparative essay on Sparta and Athens
• Students will be able to create a works cited list based on the sources they have located

Materials:

Computers

Encyclopedias (several sets)

Works cited/ note sheets

Sparta vs. Athens comparison chart

Assessment questionnaire

Procedures:

Day 1:

• MS will begin by asking students how they typically begin the research process

• Students will respond with search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and sites such as Wikipedia

• After identifying Wikipedia as one of their favorite sources, MS will use this site to explain why one must be careful of information found on the Internet
• MS will read students the disclaimer on Wikipedia, which states that information cannot be guaranteed as complete, accurate, or reliable

• Class will discuss why accuracy, reliability, complete, and up to date information is important when conducting research. 

• MS will continue by explaining that Wikipedia is just one example of a site that may not provide reliable information.

• Class will discuss factors such as date, author, and grammatical/ spelling accuracy, as easy ways to determine whether or not a site is trustworthy.

• MS will then demonstrate a Google search using the simple keyword Sparta

• Students will time MS to see how long it takes to find a useful article

• Next, MS will draw students’ attention to the reference section of the media center
• MS will then show students an encyclopedia article on Sparta

• This time, students will time MS to see how long it takes to find an encyclopedia article

• The class will then discuss the differences between encyclopedia/Internet articles
• MS will review the works cited format for websites as well as encyclopedia articles
• After discussion, students will be given the choice of going to computers or encyclopedias in order to locate information

• As students work, they will be filling in their source sheets as well as their Athens/ Sparta comparison organizer.  The Athens/ Sparta comparison sheet will help them to decide where they would rather live

Day 2:

• MS will begin by showing students a BrainPop video on paraphrasing (focusing on looking up words that one does not understand, closing the book or minimizing a website prior to taking notes, as well as the ethical repercussions of stealing another’s ideas)  

• At the end of the video, students will participate in a short BrainPop quiz reviewing the main ideas of effective paraphrasing

•  As MS reads the original passage as well as the rewritten passage, students will be encouraged to judge whether good paraphrasing techniques have been incorporated

• MS will then draw student’s attention to the paraphrasing examples that the MS has completed relating to Spartan society 

• Students will again refer to the examples provided in their packets, and raise any questions they have

• Finally, MS will review the importance of parenthetical citations 
• Students will then be encouraged to continue their research from the previous day
• Towards the end of the period, students will fill out a research assessment sheet and share their experiences and results

Assessment:

Students are evaluated as they:

-Participate in class discussion about the pros and cons of search engines and encyclopedias

-Conduct independent searches online and locate encyclopedia articles

-Complete their self assessments



Reviewer Note: The comparative essay would also be an appropriate assessment.