Learn about the Roman legacy – exploring those things that the Romans brought which affected our subsequent history and even our language. Study the cities, the rule of law, Roman numerals and the calendar we use today, and come to understand how many aspects of modern life can be traced back in some way to the Romans.

Session 1 What have the Romans ever done for us?

Objectives

English

  • Check that the text makes sense to them, discussing their understanding and explaining the meaning of the words in context.
  • Speak audibly and fluently when reading a poem aloud.
  • Understand the etymology of words to understand the relationships between meaning and spelling.
  • Use dictionaries to check the meaning of words they have read.
  • Use the first two or three letters of a word to check its spelling in a dictionary.
  • Spell words correctly from the statutory list.

History

  • Note connections, contrasts and trends over time and develop the appropriate use of historical terms.
  • Ask and address historically valid questions about change, cause, similarity and difference and significance.
  • Begin to understand the legacy left by the Romans on Britain and its impact on our subsequent history.

Lesson Planning

Children discuss what a legacy is and explore the different aspects of the Roman legacy. They trace the Latin roots of words we use in English.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To develop an understanding of the Roman legacy.
  • To understand how Roman ideas still impact our lives today.

Children will:

  • Understand that there are some things we depend on today which are available because of the Romans.
  • Understand the meaning of words and use this to help improve their spelling.

You Will Need

  • Dictionaries
  • Copy of the poem

Session 2 Language and the calendar

Objectives

English

  • Understand the etymology of words to understand the relationships between meaning and spelling.
  • Spell words with the /s/ sound spelt sc (Latin in origin).

History

  • Understand that our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources.
  • Note connections, contrasts and trends over time and develop the appropriate use of historical terms.
  • Ask and address historically valid questions about change, cause, similarity and difference and significance.

Maths

  • Know the months of the year.

Lesson Planning

Children compare the Roman names in Latin for the months of the year to the current English equivalents.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To consider the origin of some words we use today.
  • To know the origins of our calendar and understand the origin of some of the names.

Children will:

  • Know that our calendar is based on the Roman calendar.
  • Question the choices the Romans made about names of calendar months.
  • Understand that many of our words originate from the language of the Romans (Latin).

Provided Resources

  • Months of the year (Roman spellings)
  • List of ‘sc’ words

You Will Need

Access to the internet

Session 3 Roman numerals

Objectives

Maths

  • Read Roman numerals to 100 (I to C) and know that over time, the numeral system changed to include the concept of zero and place value.

History

  • Begin to understand the legacy left by the Romans on Britain and its impact on our subsequent history.
  • Note connections, contrasts and trends over time and develop the appropriate use of historical terms.

Lesson Planning

Children learn about Roman numerals. They write dates and amounts using these numbers and begin to understand how the Roman numeral system works.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To learn about the history of mathematics and to use Roman numerals.
  • To study and use the Roman numeral system.

Children will;

  • Read and write Roman numerals.
  • Solve mathematical problems involving Roman numerals.

Provided Resources

  • 1-100 number strip
  • Roman Numeral adding sheet

You Will Need

You do not need any particular resources for this session.

Weblinks

There are no weblinks needed for this session.

Session 4 Law and order

Objectives

Citizenship

  • Begin to understand the role of law and the justice system in our society.

History

  • Note connections, contrasts and trends over time and develop the appropriate use of historical terms.
  • Ask and address historically valid questions about change, cause, similarity and difference and significance.

Lesson Planning

Children discuss the need for a system of laws. They learn about the Twelve Tables in 449, and then discuss the need for fair rules.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To begin to understand the role of law and the justice system in our society.
  • To understand that our system of law and order is based on that created by the Romans.

Children will:

  • Begin to be aware of the role of the law and justice system in our society.
  • Understand that our knowledge of the Roman justice system comes from a range of sources.
  • Know of the Twelve Tables and understand why they came into being.

Provided Resources

  • Images of the 12 Tables
  • Image of a Roman courthouse

You Will Need

  • A copy of the school rules

Session 5 Roads and towns

Objectives

Geography

  • Name and locate cities of the UK.
  • Describe and understand key aspects of human geography including types of settlement and land use.

History

  • Ask historically valid questions and construct responses based on relevant historical information.

Lesson Planning

Children look at where the Roman cities in Britain were located and discuss why the Romans chose to build cities there. They discuss why the Romans built good straight roads.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To name and locate Roman towns and cities in the UK and to consider why they were chosen as settlement sites.
  • To consider why the Romans chose certain locations for their towns and cities.

Children will:

  • Identify capital cities and school location on map of UK.
  • Identify towns and cities in Britain that were old Roman cities.
  • Discuss why some sites might have been chosen as a place to settle.
  • Understand why the Romans built good straight roads.

Provided Resources

  • Map of UK with Roman cities and roads marked
  • Map of UK, including major cities
  • Task sheet
  • List of Roman names for some European cities
  • Historical and current Western Europe maps.

You Will Need

You do not need any particular resources for this session.

Weblinks

There are no weblinks needed for this session.

Session 6 The Roman Legacy

Objectives

Computing

  • Use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content.
  • Select and use software to accomplish given goals including presenting data and information.

History

  • Understand our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources.
  • Begin to understand the legacy left by the Romans on Britain and its impact on our subsequent history.
  • Construct informed responses that involve thoughtful selection and organisation of relevant historical information.

Lesson Planning

Children research a particular aspect of the ‘Roman Legacy’ and create a set of PowerPoint slides to contribute to a class presentation.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To research and present information about the Roman legacy.
  • To show an understanding of the impact of the Roman empire on our lives today.

Children will:

  • Consider and discuss the impact of the Roman Empire on their lives today.
  • Use the internet to research part of the Roman legacy.
  • Produce a PowerPoint slide with a text box, image and heading.

You Will Need

Access to a computer