Ancient Rome | Project Based Learning
Students will investigate how Ancient Rome developed and changed its government, then work in teams to create a museum-style exhibit that explains key ideas, important leaders, and the impact of Roman government on citizens. The lesson is project based, discussion-driven, and ends with a short presentation and reflection.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Republic | A form of government in which citizens choose leaders to make decisions for them. |
| Senate | A group of Roman leaders who advised and helped make laws. |
| Consul | One of the top elected leaders in the Roman Republic. |
| Citizen | A person with rights and duties in a country or government. |
| Empire | A large group of lands and people ruled by one leader or government. |
| Patrician | A wealthy and powerful Roman class. |
| Plebeian | An ordinary Roman citizen, often with fewer rights and less power. |
Show an image of a Roman statue, senate building, or Roman symbols. Ask: What kind of government do you think ruled ancient Rome? What clues do you see? Record student ideas.
Observe the image, share predictions, and activate prior knowledge.
Briefly explain the Roman Republic, the Senate, consuls, citizens, and the later shift to empire. Use a simple class chart to show who had power and how decisions were made.
Take notes, ask questions, and help complete the chart.
Explain that teams will create a museum exhibit poster titled 'How Ancient Rome Was Governed.' Review the requirements: define key terms, include a labeled visual, explain one government role, and describe one way Roman government affected citizens.
Listen, ask clarifying questions, and review the rubric.
Give groups reading materials and a planning organizer. Circulate, prompt deeper thinking, and help students use evidence from the text.
Read, highlight important facts, record notes, and plan exhibit sections with their group.
Support teams as they design their posters or displays. Encourage clear headings, neat visuals, and complete explanations. Push advanced groups to include a comparison between Republic and Empire.
Work collaboratively to design and write the exhibit.
Have each group display their work. Invite quick presentations or a gallery walk with sticky-note feedback.
Present key ideas or view peers' exhibits and leave feedback.
Lead a brief discussion: What was strongest about Roman government? What problems might citizens have faced?
Share reflections and complete an exit ticket.
Students share one new thing they learned about Ancient Rome's government and one question they still have. The teacher highlights how the Roman Republic influenced later governments and thanks students for their museum-quality work.
Formative assessment will come from participation, the planning organizer, teacher check-ins, and the exit ticket. Summative assessment will be the group exhibit, scored with a rubric for accuracy, completeness, teamwork, and clarity of explanation.
Students will write a short paragraph or record a voice response at home explaining which Roman government role they think was most important and why.