Explore Ancient Greek Government Systems – Free Printable Lesson Activity
As part of our Ancient Greece Unit Study, we explored the Ancient Greek Government types that shaped Ancient Greek society. This printable activity offers an interactive way to learn more about four types of government. By comparing and discussing, students will learn how each system worked and how power was distributed.
Recommended Level: Elementary, Grades 3-5; This could also be adapted for Grades 2 and 6.
Lesson Length: Approx. 30 Minutes
- Introduction and Reading (10 minutes)
- Activity (15 minutes)
- Discussion and Recap (5 Minutes)
You can find all the lesson information below or in the free printable download at the link below.
Lesson Objectives
- Gain a deeper understanding of the four different types of government: Monarchy, Oligarchy, Tyranny & Democracy.
- Practice creating a comparison chart that highlights: who rules, how leaders are chosen, who holds power in the government, and how decisions are made.
Materials Needed
- 1 empty comparison chart per child
- ‘Forms of Government in Ancient Greece’ reading sheet per child or group
- 1 answer sheet per group OR 1 set of cutout answers per child
- Scissors (if using cutouts)
- Glue (if using cutouts)
Activity Instructions
Download and Print:
Click the link below to download the printable PDF. Print the pages on standard letter-sized paper.
Read & Learn:
- Read through the ‘Forms of Government in Ancient Greece’ reading sheet as a group or have each child read independently.
- Ask students questions to check understanding or ask them to recall key points from the reading. For example: Who rules in a monarchy?, What do you remember about democracy in Athens?
- Briefly go over the four forms of government: monarchy, oligarchy, tyranny, and democracy.
Practice
Give each student a copy of the empty comparison chart.
- Option 1: Cut & Paste Answers
- If using cutouts, provide scissors, glue, and the cutout answers.
- Students cut out and glue the correct descriptions onto their chart.
- Option 2: Write Answers
- If writing the answers, simply provide the comparison chart and keep the Answer Sheet to check answers after completed.
- Students write the correct answers into their chart. Use the answer sheet to check their work.
Discuss
Have a short discussion where students share their thoughts on the different types of government. Ask questions like:
- What’s good about having one leader in a monarchy?
- What could be hard about living under a tyranny?
Recap
Summarize the differences between the four forms of government. Ask students which type of government they’d prefer to live under in Ancient Greece and why.
What’s Included in the Printable
This printable includes:
- Activity Instructions
- Reading Comprehension – Forms of Government in Ancient Greece
- Government Comparison Chart
- Answer Sheet
Download Your Free Printable
Click here to download your free Ancient Greece Government Comparison Activity!
Share Your Experience
We’d love to hear how you use this activity in your lessons! Share your experiences and photos in the comments below or tag us on social media using @MightyLittleMinds.
Additional Resources
Looking for more elementary level lesson plans, activities & printables? Check out our Elementary Printables page for more free resources!
