Student Group Activity

Matt Sanders
John Dano
Troy Davis
September 19th, 2016
Classical Greek Contribution to Modern Society: 9/10th Grades

Description of Activity: Three-Person Jigsaw

Students will read excerpts from Platos Apology and write a brief opinion on how they
think their piece has affected modern society. They will then connect with their groups to
form an answer from the three different excerpts their group has received.
Objective
The students will analyze the contributions of classical Greek and Roman civilizations
by specifying their opinion on which part of Platos apology is the most important and
relevant to todays society in a series of paragraphs written by triads.
Common Core Standard
SSHS-S2C2-PO3
High School Social Studies, World History, Concept 2: Early Civilizations, Performance
Objective 3
Analyze the enduring Greek and Roman contributions and their impact on later
civilization:
a. Development of concepts of government and citizenship (e.g.,democracy,
republics,codification of law, and development of empire)
b.scientific and cultural advancements (e.g.,network of roads,aqueducts, art and
architecture, literature and theater,mathematics,and philosophy)
How Will I Assign Groups?
Students will be split up into triads before class starts. The seats will be arranged into
groups of three desks and students will be assigned a seat as they enter the room. This
will insure that each student is part of a group of three students determined by the order
that the students arrive to class.
Three-Person Jigsaw
After the auditory signal Ladies and Gentlemen is given, the students will each be
given an excerpt from Apology by Plato to read and write their opinion on how their
reading could have impacted or is relevant to modern society. The students will be given
two minutes to complete this assignment, and after the auditory signal Pencils down is
given, the students will share their opinion on what is being said on the excerpt they
read with their table members, being given up to 5 minutes to discuss. Their goal is to

make connections between the three excerpts given to each group to form one coherent
piece of writing. After another auditory signal ladies and gentlemen is given, the
teacher will check for their understanding by having each group volunteer a speaker to
share their discussion with the class .
Check for Understanding
Students will be assigned a numbered table to read their excerpt and
discuss with their numbered group.
What is expected of the student? To read a piece of Platos Apology and
write a brief opinion on how it could impact modern society.
How long does the student have to complete this task? They will have 2
minutes to write down their opinion and 5 minutes to discuss it with their
assigned group.
How does the student know when their time is up? The signal Pencils
Down will signal an end to their writing and Ladies and Gentlemen to their
discussion.
Call on a student to summarize what is expected of them, then have that
student call on another one to repeat the summary.
Materials Needed
Pencils
Paper
Notes taken on Lecture Material
Platos Apology