Athens and Sparta Worksheet
Core Knowledge History • Grade 2
Athens and Sparta
Name:
Date:
Word to Know
Contribution: A helpful gift, skill, or big idea from the past that is passed down through history and still helps people today!
Part 1: Gifts from Two Great City-States
🏛️
Athens: City of Ideas
Learning, Art & Voting
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Democracy: Citizens voted to choose leaders and make laws.
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Marble Columns: Grand buildings and stone temples.
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Olive Oil: Healthy fruit and oil for cooking and lamps.
🛡️
Sparta: City of Strength
Bravery, Fitness & Duty
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Bravery: Courageous fighters who never gave up.
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Teamwork: Soldiers marched with shields locked tight.
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Physical Fitness: Strong bodies through athletic exercise.
Part 2: Fill in the Contributions!
Write words from the bank on the lines.
democracy marble columns olive oil bravery teamwork
1 Athens gave the world , where people vote on laws.
2 Spartan soldiers were famous across Greece for their .
3 Athenian builders designed grand temples with tall .
4 Spartans locked their shields side-by-side with strong .
5 Athenian groves gave Greeks healthy fruit and rich .
Think & Write: Which Greek contribution is most helpful today?
Write your answer on the handwriting line:
Ancient Greek Civilizations • Language Studio Grade 2 Page 1 of 2
Compare and Contrast
How Were They Different?
Athens vs. Sparta
Part 3: Quick Comparison Guide
| Life in the City | 🏛️ Athens | 🛡️ Sparta |
|---|
| What they loved | Art, reading, science, and peaceful trade | Military strength, bravery, and fitness |
| Boys' childhood | Went to school to read, write, and think | Left home at age 7 to live in army camps |
| Government | Democracy: citizens voted together on laws | Ruled by 2 kings and 28 older elders |
| Society type | Open society: welcomed traders and visitors | Closed society: stayed home, made own goods |
Part 4: Difference Detectives (Fill in the Blanks)
Choose words from the word bank.
school army camp voted two kings open closed
1. Schooling in Athens
Athenian boys went to to learn to read.
2. Training in Sparta
Spartan boys lived in an at age 7.
3. Athenian Government
Citizens in Athens met and on laws.
4. Spartan Leaders
Sparta was ruled by and 28 elders.
5. Visiting Athens
Athens was an trading city.
6. Life in Sparta
Sparta was a society.
Part 5: Which City-State Would You Choose?
Write in complete sentences.
I would rather live in: Athens Sparta
Explain your choice with 2 good reasons:
Draw yourself living in your city!
Draw what you are wearing or doing!
Ancient Greek Civilizations • Language Studio Grade 2 Page 2 of 2
Athens and Sparta Answer Key
Teacher Reference Core Knowledge History • Grade 2
Athens and Sparta Answer Key
Page 1 Solutions
Lesson Focus: Contributions (CKLA Unit 3)
Emphasize that a contribution is a lasting gift or idea passed down through history. Both city-states spoke the same language and shared the same gods, but their contributions reflect their differing values.
Part 1: Quick Reference of Key Concepts
🏛️ Athens Key Gifts
Democracy (rule by citizens; voting), classical architecture (tall stone marble columns), and olive oil (valuable trade crop and daily staple).
🛡️ Sparta Key Gifts
Bravery & courage (defending Greece against Persia at Thermopylae), teamwork (phalanx shield wall), and physical fitness for all youth.
Part 2 Answer Key: Fill in the Contributions
10 Points Total (2 pts each)
1 Athens gave the world democracy , where people vote on laws.
Word Bank Match
2 Spartan soldiers were famous across Greece for their bravery .
Word Bank Match
3 Athenian builders designed grand temples with tall marble columns .
Word Bank Match
4 Spartans locked their shields side-by-side with strong teamwork .
Word Bank Match
5 Athenian groves gave Greeks healthy fruit and rich olive oil .
Word Bank Match
Sample Student Responses: Think & Write
Accept any reasonable student answer that names a contribution and gives a valid reason:
Example A (Democracy):
"I think democracy is most helpful because people in our country get to vote on our leaders."
Example B (Teamwork / Fitness):
"I think teamwork is most helpful because working together helps us solve hard problems."
Teacher Guide • Ancient Greek Civilizations • Grade 2 Page 1 of 2
Teacher Reference Core Knowledge History • Grade 2
How Were They Different? Answers
Page 2 Solutions
Part 4 Answer Key: Difference Detectives
12 Points Total (2 pts each)
1. Schooling in Athens
Athenian boys went to school to learn to read.
2. Training in Sparta
Spartan boys lived in an army camp at age 7.
3. Athenian Government
Citizens in Athens met and voted on laws.
4. Spartan Leaders
Sparta was ruled by two kings and 28 elders.