Grade 5 students were arranged on opposing teams, preparing for battle in the annual Athens/Sparta Debate this past Wednesday! The Athens/Sparta Debate is a favorite DCD tradition, where two ancient rivals face off against each other—one representing the city of Athens, and one representing Sparta, as they debate topics related to Military and Government, Women, Childhood and Education, Daily Life, and Arts and Architecture.
Each team took turns presenting opening statements as to why they were the best city-state in Greece, and then debate began! As our Grade 5 students threw questions back and forth to challenge each other, each team responded quickly on their feet with rebuttals. With confidence and conviction, each team presented thoughtful explanations and reasoning, reflecting the city-states’ differing perspectives and values—knowledge that students had learned in their studies of Athens and Sparta.
During this incredibly engaging experience, fifth graders learn to see the world as these ancient city-states once did, representing the views and perspectives of the times, even as they personally might feel and respond differently— an experience that allows students to see and understand different cultures, beliefs and philosophies from their own, and from our modern world today.
The annual Athens/Sparta Debate is a fantastic opportunity for fifth graders to engage their critical thinking skills as well as practice their public speaking skills in front of their classmates and judges. After two very spirited debates—one for each of the fifth grade classes, Sparta was victorious for Mrs. Bemis’s group, and Athens was victorious for Mrs. Chiari’s Group. Congratulations, Athens and Sparta!
