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Election Center (6th Grade)
Greek (Athens) Democracy
vs.
Roman Dictatorship
Speech Preparation

Greek (Athens) Democracy Speech

What is power? Where does it come from?

Unit Questions

The Beginning

Introduction: The Ancient Greeks of Athens created the first democratic society. It was the influence of key Greek leaders and philosophers like Pericles, Socrates, and Plato that helped create this new and experimental system. A society where the people, well some, had the right to vote on important issues (direct democracy). Greek democracy is the precursor to the Roman republic and eventually the U.S. Constitution, government, balance of power (system of checks and balances), and the liberties we enjoy. You will be writing and delivering a persuasive speech. Persuasive speech arises out of the process of deliberation, when audiences need all sides of an issue presented to them before they make a decision. In this sense, its roots are in the Greek democratic state. This made it a form of speech of particular interest for all Greek writers and teachers of rhetoric: in fact, rhetorical study is said by Aristotle to be “concerned with the modes of persuasion” (The Rhetoric, I, I).

Greek (Athens) Democracy Speech steps:

1) Student-Generated Questions Homework: Write one question you have for a Greek Archon or leader. Remember the more specific the question, the better and easier it will be to answer later. Your question can range in topics but, will be organized into the following categories:

Leadership
Rights / Citizenship
Democracy
Military / Defense

2) Collectively we will narrow down the student-generated questions. A graphic organizer and the questions will be available inside the Greek (Athens) Democracy - Speech & Election 2023 document.

3) Open the Greek (Athens) Democracy - Speech & Election 2023 document and review the rubrics. Consider using the Teacher Advice Organization to prepare appropriately. Work on writing your speech with research and specific details to explain each answer to the student-generated questions. Use the graphic organizer and prepare your Introduction (Step #1), Body of Speech (Step #2), and Conclusion Par (Step #3).

4) Decide whether you will turn in a written (typed) version or participate in the election process by delivering an in-person speech. NOTE: Only those students who deliver their speech in-person can be elected the Greek Archon.

DUE DATES:

5) Turn in your written (typed) version or be prepared to deliver your in-person speech. Due April 12 / 13 [Block Schedule]

6) Voter Registration & Vote: In order to vote, students must pay attention to all of the in-person speeches then turn in the
Informed Voter - Greek Democracy and Roman Dictatorship (Voter Registration) 2023 document.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Informed Voter Importance: Becoming an informed voter should guarantee that students will vote for another student based on whose ideas most closely represent their own. Democracy and elections are not intended to be a simple popularity contest. Additionally, students are not allowed to vote for themselves (although this is obviously different in U.S. elections).
Winners: After the election is final, two Greek Archons (winners) will be elected per A/B group. The A/B group winners will automatically be excused with a perfect score on the Roman Dictatorship Speech. Eventually, the A/B group Greek Archon (winners) will face off and debate against the Roman Dictatorship (winners).

Good luck and let the best candidate for Greek Archon win!

6A Greek Archon: Sienna O'Malley

6B Greek Archon: Oliver D.

Greek (Athens) Democracy Resources:

Greek (Athens) Democracy - Speech & Election 2023 document (Assessment OF Learning)
Informed Voter - Greek Democracy and Roman Dictatorship (Voter Registration) 2023

Mr. Streit's Youtube Channel: Greek (Athens) Democracy Speech Collection - 6th Grade 2021

DEBATE

Roman Dictatorship Speech

Are governments necessary for the

protection of people in society?

Unit Question

Introduction:

The year is 49 BCE and you, Julius Caesar (or if you prefer, Julia Caesar), have just crossed the Rubicon River, effectively declaring a civil war in Rome. You will win the war because, well you are Julius Caesar. You will soon declare yourself dictator for life and although you don't disband the Roman Republic and the Senate, it is well understood that democracy is over in Rome! You are a beloved by the officers in the military and the plebeian class, but you now need to convince all of the Roman people you are capable of leading Rome to new heights and prosperity. You will explain the failures of the Roman Republic and how you, a dictator, will protect the Roman people. In other words, how will Rome flourish under your control? Most dictators do not gain power by elections, but Julius Caesar was elected as one of the Consuls as part of the Triumvirate, so there will be an election. The winner of the Roman Dictatorship Speech will automatically receive an A for the upcoming Roman Emperor Report Card. The winner of Roman Dictatorship Speech will face off in a debate against the winner of the Greek (Athens) Democracy Speech. Refer to the Greek (Athens) Democracy vs Roman Dictatorship Debate document for more details.

Roman Dictatorship Speech Steps:

1) Student-Generated Questions Homework: Write one question you have for a Julius Caesar or the Roman Dictator. Remember the more specific the question, the better and easier it will be to answer later. Your question can range in topics but, will be organized into the following categories:

Leadership / Dictatorship
Laws / Rights / Citizenship
Military / Defense

Economic / Agricultural

2) Collectively we will narrow down the student-generated questions. A graphic organizer and the questions will be available inside the Roman Dictatorship - Speech & Election - 2023 document.

3) Open the Roman Dictatorship - Speech & Election - 2023 document and review the rubrics. Consider using the Teacher Advice Organization to prepare appropriately. Work on writing your speech with research and specific details to explain each answer to the student-generated questions. Use the graphic organizer and prepare your Introduction (Step #1), Body of Speech (Step #2), and Conclusion Par (Step #3).

DUE DATES:

5) Turn in your written (typed) version or be prepared to deliver your in-person speech. Due May 17th / 18th [Block Schedule]

6) Voter Registration & Vote: In order to vote, students must pay attention to all of the in-person speeches then turn in the Informed Voter - Greek Democracy and Roman Dictatorship (Voter Registration) 2023 document. Due May 17th / 18th [Block Schedule]

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Informed Voter Importance: Becoming an informed voter should guarantee that students will vote for another student based on whose ideas most closely represent their own. Dictators don't usually gain power through an election, but it happened in Ancient Rome and it has happened multiple times in world history since. Students are not allowed to vote for themselves.

Winners: After the election window is closed and results are finalized, two Roman Dictators (winners) will be elected per B/A group. The B/A group winners will automatically be excused with a perfect score on the Roman Emperor Report Card. Eventually, the B/A group Roman Dictators (winners) will face off and debate against the Greek Archons (winners).

Good luck and let the best candidate for Roman Dictator win!

6A Roman Dictator: Penny L.

6B Roman Dictator: Maggie V.

Roman Dictatorship Speech Resources: