ANCIENT ROME ACTIVITIES – ROMAN EMPIRE LESSON PLANS
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 Roman Empire unit! The following resources are activities I personally use in my Roman Empire units.
I start every ancient or medieval world history unit with an immersive map activity. This Roman Empire Map & Reading Activity provides students with a hands-on approach to understanding Italian and the Mediterranean geography, and its impact on the Roman Empire. 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 SENATE SIMULATION
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, every social studies teacher wants to make it an amazing lesson our students will remember.
I teach the Roman Republic through dynamic role-playing Roman Senate Simulation. Students step into the roles of patrician senators, engaging in lively debates and voting on key issues. This interactive approach not only educates but also captivates, fostering deep understanding and memorable learning experiences.
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!
AUGUSTUS AND CONSTANTINE HISTORY HERO OR VILLAIN READING ACTIVITY
When I plan a reading comprehension activity, I want to make it interesting for students. In the Augustus History Hero or Villain Activity and the FREE Constantine History Hero or Villain 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 Augustus’ legacy. I often use this activity to develop writing skills, and do a collaborative poster activity!
ROMAN ACHIEVEMENTS DOCUMENTARY HANDOUT
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 ACTIVITY
I would love to have students construct their own aqueducts, but I don’t have the time, resources, or space to do it for all my students. In the Roman Achievements Activity, students explore and recreate Roman roads, aqueducts, and arches, fostering creativity and historical understanding in a virtual setting.
ROMAN ACHIEVEMENTS WEBQUEST
Another way I teach Roman achievements is by using the Roman Trade Webquest. Students explore the Roman economy and trade using the ORBIS Stanford Geospatial Network Model of the Roman World. This is essentially Google Maps for the Roman world! The webquest introduces the concept behind the website and provides step-by-step instructions in writing and in video. Students are then ready to explore! They will be guided through four routes and then select their own route.
ROMAN TRIUMPHAL ARCH PROJECT
For years, I hated doing projects. Recently, I began using the 3D Roman Triumphal Arch Project for collaborative end-of-unit assessments. Students build their arch to show what they have learned over the course of the Roman Republic or Roman Empire unit! They begin by selecting and coloring pictures they want to put on the side of their project. Using these pictures, which represent key terms, they write a paragraph discussing the leaders, achievements, and events of Rome. Finally, they color, cut, and assemble their arch!
DECLINE & FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE SIMULATION
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 explore the complexities of the decline of Rome with in an interactive simulation. Students analyze historical events such as plagues, invasions, and societal changes, working to prevent the collapse of their simulated empire. This simulation fosters critical thinking and historical empathy, leaving a lasting impact on student learning.
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 Puppet Project. Students use slang and key terms to write a script bragging about Rome. They then translate their slang into academic language. Finally, they talk with other students or perform a puppet show about Roman history.
ROMAN & BYZANTINE EMPIRES TEST
I used to dread making tests for my ancient and world history units. If you need help writing your unit test for Ancient Roman & Byzantine Empires, use this assessment covering Mediterranean geography, Roman & Byzantine Empires, Augustus, Constantine, Constantinople, and Justinian I. There is a regular and modified version, a study guide and writing tests.
The Roman 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 Roman Empire unit helps teachers be their best!