If you’re a social studies teacher looking to enhance your curriculum or searching for supplementary resources, you’ve found the right place. I want to help every teacher be their best when teaching your Byzantine Empire unit! The following resources are activities I personally use in my Byzantine Empire unit.
Byzantine Empire Bell Ringers
I kick off my Byzantine 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.
Eastern & Western Roman, Byzantine Empire & Constantinople Map Activity
I start every ancient or medieval world history unit with an immersive map activity. In the Eastern & Western Roman, Byzantine Empire & Constantinople Map Activity, students create two thematic maps of the Eastern & Western Roman Empire then the Byzantine Empire. Then students will label a map of Constantinople and explain the defenses of Constantinople. Finally, students will imagine they have visited Constantinople for the first time and write a postcard.
Constantine History Hero or Villain Reading Activity
When I plan a reading comprehension activity, I want to make it interesting for students. In the Constantine and Justinian History Hero or Villain Reading Activities, 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 Constantine and Justinian I legacy. I often use this activity to develop writing skills, and do a collaborative poster activity!
Justinian Code Matching Activity
Students work with a group or independently to read through the the laws of the revised laws from the Justinian Code then match them with the old XII Table laws. There is a printable and Google Slide version.
Ancient Invisible Cities Documentary – Constantinople – Istanbul
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!
This incredible documentary is perfect for a Roman & Byzantine Empire Unit because it covers all the key terms such as Constantine, Justinian I, Hagia Sophia, hippodrome, cisterns, aqueducts & more! Professor Darius Arya explores Istanbul and its many historical sites. 3D scanning teams bring these sites to life by creating virtual models that allow for incredible examination.
Decline of the Byzantine Empire Activity
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 of the Byzantine Empire Activity, In this no prep activity, students discover the causes of the Justinian Plague by investigating whether this contributed to the slow decline of the Byzantine Empire!
The Justinian Plague has all the familiar characters of the well known medieval Black Death: trade routes, fleas and rats, but also introduces students to the role natural climate change played out in the world’s first pandemic!
Byzantine Empire Test
I used to dread making tests for my ancient and world history units. If you need help writing your unit test for the Byzantine Empire Test, use this assessment covering geography, Constantine, Justinian I and much more. There is a regular and modified version, a study guide and writing tests.
The Byzantine Empire 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 Byzantine Empire unit helps teachers be their best!
Be sure to listen to the Middle Ages Podcast for more awesome ideas ancient and world history teachers!