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The Romans in Britain
The Roman invasion of Britain

The Romans are invading and children take the position of Celtic tribes. Understand the power and organisation of the Roman army and ask and answer historically relevant questions about why it was so successful. Decide whether it was better for the Celts to collaborate or resist the Romans – what advantages were there to collaboration.

Block Overview

Session 1 The rise of the Roman Empire

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Objectives

History

  • Develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study with regard to the Roman Empire.

Art

  • Develop techniques, including control and use of materials.
  • Understand the historical and cultural development of their art form.

Teaching and Activities

Understand some of the reasons behind the Romans’ success in invading Britain and create Roman shields to use in role play.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To understand how the Roman Empire emerged and expanded in the three centuries before the Common Era.
  • To design and paint a Roman shield using inspiration from Roman designs.

Children will:

  • Ask and answer historically relevant questions about the rise of the Roman Empire and consider reasons for its success.
  • Design and paint a Roman style shield.

You Will Need

  • A2 thick card
  • A thick card strip
  • Stapler
  • Black marker pens
  • Sketch books
  • Red and yellow poster or acrylic paint
  • Thick and fine brushes
  • Water pots
  • Sheet of Roman shield designs
  • Aluminium pie cases

Session 2 Legions of legionaries

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Objectives

History

  • Develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study focusing on the Roman Empire.

English

  • Write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts.

Teaching and Activities

Learn about life as a Roman Legionary and create an informative leaflet.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To explore the reasons for the Romans’ successful growing empire in two centuries before the birth of Christ and learn about life in the Roman army.
  • To write short paragraphs or annotations that explain (why the Roman army was so successful) using a range of technical vocabulary.

Children will:

  • Learn about the Roman army and life as a legionary.
  • Produce an informative leaflet about weapons, equipment and organisation in the Roman army.

You Will Need

  • Flip chart and pens
  • Whiteboards and pens or paper to make notes
  • Access to computers and the internet or printouts and reference books

Session 3 Preparing to invade Britannia

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Objectives

History

  • Develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study, focusing on the Roman Empire.

Music

  • Listen with attention to detail.
  • Appreciate and understand a wide range of high-quality music drawn from different traditions and from great composers and musicians.

Teaching and Activities

Create a realistic impression, using music and movement, of what it felt like as the Roman army invaded Britain.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To begin to understand why the Romans wanted to invade Britain.
  • To use a piece of music to create atmosphere and to discuss its effect on the listener.

Children will:

  • Know why the Romans wanted to invade Britain.
  • March in legion formation, obeying Latin commands.
  • Listen to and discuss a piece of music evocative of an invading army.

You Will Need

  • Access to large space
  • The Armed Man by Karl Jenkins
  • A large stick/staff for the teacher/centurion

Session 4 Trouble is coming!

Session plan Download all files

Objectives

History

  • Develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study.

English

  • Participate in discussions, presentations, performances, role-play, improvisations and debate.

Teaching and Activities

Build on the previous session in developing, through mime and role-play, a deeper understanding of the impact of the Roman invasion on the Celts.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To understand the reasons why Julius Caesar invaded Britain in 55 BCE.
  • To explore the invasion of Britain and gain a deeper understanding of its impact on the people who were there.

Children will:

  • Learn about the invasion of Britain by Julius Caesar in 55 BCE.
  • Role-play Romans and Britons as the invasion begins.

You Will Need

  • Access to a large space
  • The soundtrack from Braveheart
  • Music from The Armed Man by Karl Jenkins
  • 3 PE benches
  • Large drum and beater

Session 5 The Roman conquest in 43 CE

Session plan Download all files

Objectives

History

  • Develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study.

English

  • Participate in discussions, presentations, performances, role-play, improvisations and debate.

Teaching and Activities

Create a realistic debate within a Celtic tribe about whether to accept the Roman invasion or fight it.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To understand the events leading up to the Roman conquest of Britain by Emperor Claudius in 43 CE.
  • To explore to issues of the Roman conquest of Britain through role-play and discussion.

Children will:

  • Learn about the conquest of Britain in 43 CE by Emperor Claudius.
  • Role-play a tribal discussion on whether to fight the Romans or accept their rule.

You Will Need

  • Access to a large space
  • A red/orange cloth and sticks to simulate a fire
  • A simple cloak

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