Indiana Social Studies WH.2.5

Social StudiesGrades 9–12Classical Civilizations: 1000 BCE to 600 CE

The Standard

Examine the significant achievements of the Greeks and Romans and their impact on the modern world.

2026 Indiana Academic Standards: K-12 Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Identify Greek and Roman achievements in government, engineering, and the arts. Connect an achievement from each society to a modern example and explain what changed.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can explain that eligible citizens voted directly in Athens, while voters in many modern governments choose representatives. They can compare Roman aqueducts with modern city water systems.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think everyone in Athens could vote. Women, enslaved people, and noncitizens could not. They may also assume modern buildings and governments are exact copies of ancient ones.
How to Assess It: On an exit ticket, name one Greek achievement and one Roman achievement. Give a modern example of each and explain one difference from the ancient version.

Lesson moves

Build a Roman arch from wedge-shaped clay blocks over a cardboard form, then draw a modern bridge that uses the same shape.
Write two sentences comparing voting in Athens with voting in your state, naming one group Athens excluded.
Sort cards labeled Greek theater, Athenian assembly, Roman aqueduct, and Roman concrete, then match each with a modern example.
Compare photos of the Pantheon and the U.S. Capitol, then circle the domes and columns both buildings use.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to WH.2.5, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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