Explore the ways in which the Romans entertained themselves and others in the empire by holding gladiator fights and chariot racing. Design and build your own chariot and then race it!

Session 1 Research Roman gladiators

Objectives

History

  • Understand how knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources.
  • Ask historically valid questions and construct responses based on relevant historical information.
  • Know about entertainment in Roman times.

Lesson Planning

Children look at (if possible, in the context of a visit to a museum or Roman site) artefacts from Roman times and think about their function and attributes.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To investigate Roman entertainment from a range of sources.

Children will:

  • Explain who gladiators were and how they entertained the Romans.
  • Understand that our knowledge of the past comes from a range of sources including artefacts.

Provided Resources

  • Images of gladiators on Roman artefacts
  • Artefact record sheet

You Will Need

  • Topic books
  • Internet

Session 2 Learn about Roman chariot racing

Objectives

History

  • Understand how knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources.
  • Ask historically valid questions and construct responses based on relevant historical information.
  • Learn about entertainment in Roman times.

Design and Technology

  • Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design.

Lesson Planning

Children investigate a variety of vehicles and understand how they move.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To investigate Roman entertainment from a range of sources.
  • To develop ideas and designs of moving vehicles (chariots) through discussion and prototypes.

Children will:

  • Understand that chariot racing was a form of entertainment for the Romans.
  • Have an image of a Roman chariot and can imagine what a race would have been like.
  • Make a moving vehicle from construction equipment.

Provided Resources

  • Images of chariot racing
  • Image of Circus Maximus

You Will Need

  • Topic books
  • Construction equipment
  • Variety of toy vehicles

Session 3 How wheels and axles work

Objectives

Design and Technology

  • Understand and use mechanisms (e.g. wheels and axles) in their product.
  • Select from and use a wide range of materials and components according to their functional properties.

Lesson Planning

Children understand that wheels and axles can be assembled in different ways.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To join wheels and axles effectively, choosing appropriate materials, and explain how they work.

Children will:

  • Join wheels and axles effectively and can explain how they work.
  • Choose from a range of materials to build a functioning moving vehicle.

Provided Resources

This session does not need any provided resources.

You Will Need

  • Straws
  • Wooden dowel
  • Tape, stapler, paper-clips, clothes pegs, cotton reels

Weblinks

There are no weblinks needed for this session.

Session 4 Design a fit for purpose Roman chariot

Objectives

Design and Technology

  • Research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals and groups.
  • Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design.

History

  • Know about the Roman Empire and its impact on Britain (Roman entertainment).

Lesson Planning

Children work together and individually to design a chariot, deciding what materials they will use.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To generate a design for a Roman chariot based on research, prior knowledge and the design brief.
  • To know about entertainment during the time of the Roman Empire.

Children will:

  • Select from a range of materials based on their functional properties.
  • Generate and develop their design ideas through annotated sketches and discussions.
  • Use prior knowledge and research to inform the design of a chariot that is fit for purpose.

You Will Need

  • Wood, straws, cotton reels, paper clips
  • Clay
  • Blu-tack, Plasticine
  • Saws, Dowel
  • Playmobil Roman chariot and horses or suitable alternative

Session 5 Build a chariot and research the Circus Maximus

Objectives

Design and Technology

  • Select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks accurately.
  • Select from and use a wider range of materials and components and materials, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities.

History

  • Select and organise relevant historical information.

Lesson Planning

Children use variety of tools and materials to create their own chariot.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To safely and accurately select tools and equipment to build a Roman chariot.
  • To research the Circus Maximus and understand its significance in Roman chariot racing history.

Children will:

  • Select from a range of materials based on their functional properties.
  • Use a range of tools to make a Roman chariot.
  • Make a Roman chariot according to the design brief.
  • Have a good idea of the location, size and significance of the Circus Maximus.

Provided Resources

  • Circus Maximus record sheet
  • Images of various chariot designs

You Will Need

  • Wood, straws, cotton reels, paper clips
  • Blu-tack, Plasticine
  • Saws, dowel, bench hook or G clamp
  • Design sheet
  • Playmobil Roman chariot and horses or suitable alternative
  • Topic books and internet access

Session 6 Evaluate the Roman chariot design

Objectives

Design and Technology

  • Evaluate their ideas and products against the design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work.
  • Understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world.

History

  • Note connections, contrasts and trends over time.
  • Construct informed responses that involve thoughtful selection and organisation of relevant historical information.

Lesson Planning

Children compare their chariots, looking at the things that worked and those that they would do differently.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of their chariot based on the design brief.
  • To consider how the Romans would design their chariots today.

Children will:

  • Evaluate their chariot based on the design brief.
  • Understand how engineers have changed design and technology.
  • Consider how the Romans would design a chariot today.

Provided Resources

This session does not need any provided resources.

You Will Need

  • Photos of chioldren’s chariots
  • Evaluation sheet on session 4 design sheet

Weblinks

There are no weblinks needed for this session.