7th Grade
Project
4 weeks
Roman Adventure: Unraveling Empire Mysteries
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Purpose
The purpose of this project is to engage 7th-grade students in an in-depth exploration of the Roman Empire, fostering a deeper understanding of its historical significance and impact on modern society. Through project-based learning, students will develop critical thinking, research, and collaboration skills as they investigate various aspects of Roman culture, governance, and technological advancements. The project aims to create a dynamic learning environment where students connect historical content to contemporary issues, encouraging them to draw parallels and make informed comparisons. By the end of the four-week project, students will have gained a comprehensive appreciation of the Roman Empire's legacy and its enduring influence on today's world.
Learning goals
In this project, students will explore the Roman Empire's history, culture, and influence on modern society. They will engage in research, critical thinking, and collaborative activities to understand the Empire's governance, military strategies, and societal structures. Students will develop skills in historical inquiry, analysis of primary and secondary sources, and effective communication through presentations and written reports. By the end of the project, students will be able to connect the Roman Empire's legacy to contemporary political and social systems, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of its impact on the world.
Standards
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.2: Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.7: Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.4: Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
Products
In this project on the Roman Empire, students will work collaboratively to create a comprehensive multimedia presentation that explores various aspects of Roman society, culture, and governance. Over the course of four weeks, students will engage in research, critical analysis, and creative expression. They will produce:
1. A digital timeline that highlights significant events and figures in Roman history, demonstrating their understanding of chronological sequencing and historical impact.
2. An interactive map that illustrates the expansion of the Roman Empire, including key geographical features and trade routes, showcasing their ability to synthesize geographical and historical information.
3. A series of short dramatic skits or role-plays that depict daily life in different strata of Roman society, allowing students to explore social structures and cultural practices.
4. A reflective essay or video journal that connects the legacy of the Roman Empire to contemporary society, encouraging students to draw parallels and understand the enduring influence of Roman innovations and ideas.
These products will enable students to meet competencies in historical analysis, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication, while aligning with relevant educational standards for social studies and language arts.
Launch
To kick off the project on the Roman Empire for your 7th-grade class, start with an immersive simulation activity. Transform the classroom into a Roman marketplace, complete with different stations representing various aspects of Roman life, such as trade, politics, and daily living. Assign students roles as Roman citizens, merchants, senators, or soldiers. As they interact and explore the marketplace, they'll gain a firsthand understanding of the social, economic, and political dynamics of the Roman Empire. This engaging launch will spark curiosity and set the stage for deeper exploration throughout the project.
Exhibition
For the culmination of the Roman Empire project, students will host a Roman History Expo. This exhibition will allow them to showcase their understanding and creativity through various mediums. Each student or group will create a display that could include models of Roman architecture, digital presentations on Roman society and culture, or reenactments of significant historical events. The expo will be open to parents, other students, and faculty, providing an opportunity for students to articulate their learning journey and insights about the Roman Empire. This event will not only celebrate their hard work but also enhance their communication and presentation skills.
Plan
| Week 1 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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| Activities |
Activity 1: Launch the 'Roman Empire Quest' scavenger hunt to introduce the project and spark curiosity. Students will work in groups to solve clues and find artifacts around the classroom or school that relate to different aspects of the Roman Empire's rise and fall.
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Activity 2: Conduct an introductory lecture and discussion on the geographical expansion of the Roman Empire. Students will take notes and participate in a guided discussion about key cities, trade routes, and territories.
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Activity 3: Begin research sessions where students use textbooks, online resources, and library books to gather information about the Roman Empire's political structures. Students will create a preliminary outline for their digital interactive maps.
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Activity 4: Facilitate a creative workshop where students brainstorm and draft ideas for their visual or artistic representations (e.g., timeline or collage) of the Roman Empire.
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Activity 5: Organize a collaborative discussion session where students share their initial findings about the Roman Empire and discuss how these connect to contemporary issues. This will help them prepare for future debates or panel discussions.
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| Deliverables |
1. Deliverable 1: Completed scavenger hunt worksheet with answers to the clues and reflections on what was learned about the Roman Empire.
2. Deliverable 2: Preliminary outline of the digital interactive map, including identified key cities, trade routes, and territories. 3. Deliverable 3: Initial draft or sketch of the visual or artistic representation (timeline or collage) that students plan to create. |
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| Preparation |
1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Prepare materials and set up stations for the 'Roman Empire Quest' scavenger hunt, ensuring each station relates to a different aspect of the Roman Empire.
2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Develop a presentation and discussion guide for the lecture on the geographical expansion of the Roman Empire. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Gather resources (books, articles, digital content) for student research on the political structures of the Roman Empire. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Organize art supplies and materials for the creative workshop, allowing students to draft their visual or artistic representations. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Plan and facilitate a collaborative discussion session, encouraging students to connect their findings to contemporary issues. |
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| Week 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 |
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| Activities |
Activity 1: Conduct a workshop on using digital tools to create interactive maps. Students will learn how to use mapping software and start developing their own digital interactive maps of the Roman Empire.
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Activity 2: Facilitate a research session focused on the political structures of the Roman Empire. Students will delve deeper into the roles of the Senate, emperors, and military, compiling their findings into their digital maps and preparing notes for the upcoming debate or panel discussion.
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Activity 3: Organize a creative session where students continue working on their visual or artistic representations. They will refine their timelines or collages, incorporating feedback from peers and the teacher.
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Activity 4: Host a collaborative peer-review session where students share their progress on the digital maps and visual representations, offering and receiving constructive feedback.
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Activity 5: Conduct a guided reflection session where students write short reflections on how their understanding of the Roman Empire's political structures and geographical expansion relates to today's political scenarios.
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| Deliverables |
1. Deliverable 1: A draft version of the digital interactive map, showcasing initial geographical and political insights related to the Roman Empire.
2. Deliverable 2: A refined version of the visual or artistic representation (timeline or collage) that incorporates feedback from the peer-review session. 3. Deliverable 3: A short written reflection connecting the Roman Empire's political structures to contemporary political scenarios. |
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| Preparation |
1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Prepare a tutorial on using digital mapping software, including step-by-step guides and resources for students to reference.
2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Curate a set of advanced research materials focusing on the political structures of the Roman Empire, ensuring a variety of sources are available. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Set up a collaborative workspace for peer-reviewing digital maps and visual representations, ensuring students have the tools needed to provide feedback. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Develop a structured reflection guide to help students connect historical political structures to modern-day scenarios. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Arrange for additional art supplies and resources to support the refinement of students' visual or artistic representations. |
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| Week 3 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 |
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| Activities |
Activity 1: Conduct a mock debate or panel discussion preparation session. Students will be divided into groups, each taking on the roles of either historical figures or modern-day analysts to discuss the factors contributing to the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. They will prepare arguments and gather evidence to support their positions.
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Activity 2: Facilitate a focused research session where students continue to gather information on the economic factors that influenced the Roman Empire. Students will integrate these findings into their digital maps and debate or panel discussion notes.
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Activity 3: Organize a creative writing workshop where students draft their reflective essays or journal entries. The focus will be on connecting historical insights from the Roman Empire to contemporary issues or personal experiences.
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Activity 4: Host a peer feedback session for the draft reflective essays. Students will exchange essays with peers for feedback, focusing on clarity of connections made between the Roman Empire and modern contexts.
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Activity 5: Conduct a rehearsal session for the debate or panel discussion, allowing students to practice their arguments and receive feedback on their presentation skills.
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| Deliverables |
1. Deliverable 1: A detailed outline or script for the mock debate or panel discussion, including key arguments and supporting evidence.
2. Deliverable 2: An updated version of the digital interactive map that incorporates economic insights related to the Roman Empire. 3. Deliverable 3: A draft version of the reflective essay or journal entry, ready for peer review. |
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| Preparation |
1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Organize resources and guidelines for the mock debate or panel discussion, including role assignments and discussion topics.
2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Gather additional research materials focusing on the economic factors of the Roman Empire, ensuring students have access to diverse sources. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Prepare a creative writing guide with prompts and tips to help students craft their reflective essays. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Set up a peer review framework for the reflective essays, including criteria for constructive feedback. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Arrange rehearsal spaces and provide feedback tools for students to practice and refine their debate or panel discussion presentations. |
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| Week 4 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 |
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| Activities |
Activity 1: Conduct final revisions of digital interactive maps. Students will ensure all geographical, political, and economic factors are accurately represented and prepare them for exhibition.
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Activity 2: Facilitate a final rehearsal for the Roman Empire-themed debate or panel discussion. Students will practice their roles, refine their arguments, and receive final feedback on their presentation skills.
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Activity 3: Host an art and writing workshop where students finalize their visual or artistic representations and reflective essays. Focus will be on ensuring clarity and coherence in their connections to contemporary issues.
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Activity 4: Organize a peer review session for all project components, allowing students to give and receive feedback on the digital maps, debates, visual representations, and reflective essays.
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Activity 5: Prepare for the 'Roman Empire Gallery Walk' exhibition. Students will set up their displays, ensuring all materials are ready for presentation to an audience.
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| Deliverables |
1. Deliverable 1: Completed and polished digital interactive map, ready for exhibition.
2. Deliverable 2: Finalized script or outline for the debate or panel discussion, demonstrating preparedness for the public event. 3. Deliverable 3: Completed visual or artistic representation (timeline or collage) for display during the gallery walk. 4. Deliverable 4: Final version of the reflective essay or journal entry, connecting historical insights to contemporary issues. |
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| Preparation |
1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Review final versions of digital maps, ensuring they meet project standards and are exhibition-ready.
2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Provide feedback and support during the final debate or panel discussion rehearsal, focusing on presentation skills and content accuracy. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Organize art supplies and writing materials for the finalization of visual representations and reflective essays. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Set up the exhibition space for the 'Roman Empire Gallery Walk', ensuring all student projects can be displayed effectively. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Coordinate with other teachers, parents, and community members to promote attendance and participation in the gallery walk and debate/panel discussion. |
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