Designer:  Andrea Heinricy

Publication Date:  9-9 and 11-7

Standard (Include analysis skills and language arts standards:   7.1.1 Students analyze the causes and effects of the vast expansion and ultimate disintegration of the Roman Empire.  (1) Study the early strengths and lasting contributions of Rome and its ultimate internal weaknesses.

Key concepts (California Concepts Collection II/Vocabulary): 

1.  Key Concepts/Vocabulary:  Roman contributions and how they affect the modern world today.  People of thousands of years ago have affected our lives today.  History shapes today.  Legacy, mural, mosaic, cathedral, dome, aqueducts, scribe, philosophy, citizenship

Learning Outcome/ “Big Idea”/ “Essential Learning” (Objective):  Learning Outcome:  Students will understand the lasting contributions and influence of the Roman Empire in the world by writing a eulogy for the end of the Roman Empire.

TCI Strategies:  Writing for Understanding, preview assignment, processing assignment

EL/Inclusion Strategies:  partner with affluent English speaker, cooperative groups, use of visuals (placards and internet)

Materials:  TCI placards, copies of contribution information, copies of notes, pencils, tape, copies of eulogy examples, TCI textbooks, projector, computer

Opportunities to Learn/Perform (Procedure): 

 What will students need to do to achieve knowledge and skills identified in standards and learning outcomes? 

1.  Preview:  Write about a major event that you have experienced in your life. Include what kinds of thoughts or emotions you feel when you are reminded of  this event

2.  Discuss how things and people in our pasts can still affect us today and explain how the Roman Empire history still affects us today. 

3.  Tell students that today they will be U.S. Congressmen examining how the contributions of the Roman Empire affect our nation and world today.

4.  Group mixed ability students into 3 or 4.  Students will visit the 10 stations around the room that represent one contribution of the Roman Empire.  Hand out to each student paper to take notes on for each station.

5.  As students complete most of the stations, tell students that the station they are at will be the contribution they will share with the other U.S. Congressmen.  At the time of presentations, students will be given the opportunity to evaluate the information presented as well as add any new information to their contribution notes.  Groups take the Station Information card back to their seat.

6.  On butcher paper, under the heading, “Roman Accomplishment Most Seen in Our Community Today”, draw a line to create a spectrum for one student from each group tape their Station Information card on.  While reviewing the contributions, students will discuss their reasons for placing their S.I. card where they chose to on the spectrum. 

Technology Component:  examples of Roman Empires contributions and influence in the world.  To be done at end of lesson.

Primary sources:  Art

TCI Resources:  TCI placards, copies of contribution information, TCI textbooks

Other Resources:  Internet Art

Assessment (Description of 2 or more assessment tasks with specific directions, questions, and prompts): 

1.  Students will be given directions to write a 3 paragraph eulogy for the Roman Empire:

• Paragraph 1- Briefly summarize the fall of the Roman Empire with three supporting details.
• Paragraph 2- Highlight the lasting contributions from the Roman Empire with at least five significant accomplishments.  (see notes from activity)
• Paragraph 3- Discuss the way the Roman Empire has influence our community, country, and world today with at least three examples.

2.  Students will create a collage using pictures from magazines or internet that represent the lasting legacy of the contributions of the Roman Empire as well as the influence it has on our community, country, and world today: 

• At least 16x20 in size
• Must have title, “The Glory of Rome Is Not Forgotten”
• At least 8 pictures representing 8 significant accomplishments
• At least 10 pictures representing the influence on our community, country and world today.
• Must include a 1-2 paragraph artist description of the collage entitled, The Glory of Rome Is Not Forgotten” explaining Rome’s significant accomplishments and influence on our community, ect. today, that are represented in the collage.

Reflection:

What did student samples reveal?   Students gained understanding of information given and that the directions given needed to be a bit clearer.  Students grasped main ideas of Rome’s contributions and were able to put it in writing.  

What do I need to model, change or adjust regarding criteria, assessment and opportunities to learn?    I feel I gave too many options.  I think my students needed to focus on one assessment rather than having the choice.   Otherwise, I think the criteria and assessment was fair and gave me a great understanding of what they understood and what they like learning best.  I don’t think they will forget the information on Rome’s contributions to the world in the near future.  They had a lot of fun working together and going around the room.  This was the first time this year they traveled the room in groups.   One thing I would mention is the time it took to finish the assignment was too long.  I think I would try this again and then choose what to scale back so that we can complete the task in a more timely manner.