If you’re world history teacher aiming to enhance your curriculum or find additional resources, you’ve come to the right place! My goal is to help you excel teaching Ancient Rome as well as bring Julius Caesar and the Roman Senate to life for your students. I personally use each World History Rawks activity. Finally, each unit includes bell ringers, map and reading activities, interactive role play simulations, zero prep, projects, engaging reading comprehension activities, documentary handouts and tests.
Ancient Rome Bell Ringers
I kick off my Roman Empire unit with dynamic, no-prep, skill-based bell ringers. Each bell ringer engages students by reviewing content and practicing crucial reading and writing skills such as subject/verb identification, citation, and sentence writing, with fun drawing prompts included. This approach not only prepares students for the day’s lesson but helps with classroom management, establishing routines and maintaining student expectations.
Ancient Rome Map & Reading Activity
I start every ancient or medieval world history unit with an immersive map activity. This Ancient Rome Map & Reading Activity provides students with a hands-on approach to understanding Italian and the Mediterranean geography, and its impact on ancient Rome. Each lesson includes interactive map labeling, coloring tasks, followed by a short reading passage and writing activity on geographic influences, as well as a Google Classroom or printable quiz.
Roman Republic Report Card Reading Activities
When I plan a reading comprehension activity, I want to make it interesting for students. In the Roman Republic Report Card Reading Activity, I transform my students into teacher-historians as they study ancient Rome. Students read GRAPES thematic reading passages about the Roman Republic, answer questions based on each theme, then grade each theme. Finally, they calculate the empire’s GPA and write teacher comments.
Ancient Rome Simulations
Sometimes, it can be hard to bring civics into ancient and world history courses. So when we finally get the chance to teach the Roman Republic, we all want to make it an amazing lesson our students will remember.
I teach the Roman Senate by having students role-play as patrician senators in a highly interactive simulation. The simulation begins with a brief lecture on the Roman social system, patricians, plebeians, and positions of government, including consul and tribune. Students are then engaged in several rounds of voting on issues the Roman Republic dealt with. Once the simulation begins, students use role cards to help them decide how to vote. In each round of voting, they will try to win the vote. They will record what they learn, their vote, and whether they were successful on their handout. The day after the simulation, students reflect on their experience by completing an extension activity and taking a quiz.
I teach the Punic Wars Simulation by having students role play as reporters and record information about the causes, events and outcome of the wars. They then trace the impact of wars on three generations of Roman plebeian farmers. What’s more, they will participate in military training & interview soldiers. By the end, students will be prepared to write a short article and take a quiz about what they have learned.
As a social studies teacher, I want my students to develop an understanding of cause and effect. Part of that is understanding how empires rise and fall. In the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Simulation, students work to keep their empire from falling over the course of five rounds. They will investigate the Antonine and Cyprian Plagues. They will then experience the Crisis of the 3rd Century, natural climate change in Egypt and the invasions of the Huns and Goths. After the simulation students will complete reflection questions, create a T – Shirt Toga and take a quiz.
Simulations are powerful tools for engaging students and making classroom management easier. This activity is excellent for both introducing and reviewing content, ensuring that students grasp key concepts effectively. Students never forget simulations—they’ll be talking about this all year! What’s more, the included Roman Senate reading passage helps students during the extension activity and is useful for students who were absent. By incorporating simulations into your lessons, you’ll create memorable and impactful learning moments that resonate long after the unit is over.
12 Tables Matching Activity
A quick resource I use when teaching the 12 Tables is a matching activity. Students read through the laws of the Twelve Tables and place them in the correct table. It allows students to actually read the laws they have read about.
Julius Caesar History Hero or Villain Reading Activity
When I plan a reading comprehension activity, I want to make it interesting for students. In the Julius Caesar History Hero or Villain Reading Activity, students delve into the good, bad and ugly of historical figures, answering Common Core-aligned questions that develop critical thinking skills. A Google Poll vote concludes the activity, promoting thoughtful discussions on Alexander legacy. I often use this activity to develop writing skills, and do a collaborative poster activity!
Roman Achievements Documentary
Documentaries provide a great opportunity for students to learn or review using visual mediums. I tell my students that documentaries are like virtual field trips because we get to hear from historians and archaeologists, and see the actual sites students have studied. I also like to mix it up! Documentaries are a nice change of pace for classes, and they are great for sub plans too! Rome: Engineering an Empire Documentary Handout is an awesome documentary that covers Caesar’s bridge, the Appian Way, and aqueducts.
Roman Achievements Webquest
Immerse students in the Roman economy and trade routes using the ORBIS Stanford Geospatial Network Model. This interactive webquest provides step-by-step instructions for navigating ancient trade routes, enriching students’ comprehension of Roman commerce and geography.
Roman Achievements Activity
Transform your classroom into a Roman construction site with our digital drag-and-drop activities. Students explore and recreate Roman roads, aqueducts, and arches, fostering creativity and historical understanding in a virtual setting.
Roman Triumphal Arch Project
Engage students with a hands-on 3D project where they construct a Roman Triumphal Arch Project. This culminating activity integrates key terms and historical events, encouraging collaborative learning and creative expression. A detailed checklist and rubric ensure project quality and classroom decoration.
Ancient Rome GRAPES Puppet Project
We’ve all had classes that just won’t participate. Whether it’s personalities or just how kids are these days, sometimes it is hard to get a good discussion going in class. The way I promote active participation is by using Gen Z and Alpha slang in the Ancient Rome GRAPES Puppet Project. Students use slang and key terms to write a script bragging about ancient Rome. They then translate their slang into academic language. Finally, they talk with other students or perform a puppet show about Rome history.
Ancient Rome Test
I used to dread making tests for my ancient and world history units. Streamline assessment preparation with our comprehensive Ancient Rome test. Tailored assessments cover Mediterranean geography, ancient Rome, the Roman Senate and Julius Caesar. Multiple-choice, true/false, and inferencing questions ensure thorough content mastery, supported by editable Google Doc and Google Form formats for easy customization.
Ancient Rome Unit
The Ancient Rome unit is designed with teachers in mind. It is full of time-saving activities. You will get more student buy-in with interactive simulations, hands-on projects, and insightful discussions on historical figures. Designed for flexibility, the Ancient Rome unit helps teachers be their best!
Be sure to listen to the Middle Ages Podcast for more awesome ideas ancient and world history teachers!