Download Ancient Rome - The Liberty Common School

3rd Grade Core Knowledge
History and Geography
Ancient Rome
Summary
In this domain, students will continue adding to their knowledge of the ancient world by learning about Ancient
Rome. Students will not only learn about the geography of the region, they will also learn about how Rome
started out as a small rural area and grew into an empire. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of Rome by
through various activities and assignments such as completing a time lines of various events such as the Punic
Wars and the life of Julius Caesar. Through the use of read alouds and lectures students will understand how
Rome grew and how specific events and people contributed to the changes that occurred throughout the rise and
decline of Rome.
The Big Idea
The city of Rome expanded from humble origins to rule much of Europe and the Mediterranean.
Colorado State Standards
3.1.1.a: Compare factual historical sources with works of fiction about the same topic
3.1.1.b: Use a variety of historical sources including artifacts, pictures and documents to help
define factual historical evidence
3.1.2.b: Chronologically sequence important events in a community or region
3.1.2.c: Give examples of people and events, and developments that brought important changes to a
community or region
3.1.2.d: Describe the history, interaction, and contribution of the various peoples and cultures that
have lived in or migrated to a community or region
3.2.1.b: Find oceans and continents, major countries, bodies of water, mountains, and urban areas,
the state of Colorado, and neighboring states on maps
3.2.1.c: Locate the community on a map and describe its natural and human features
3.2.2.b: Identify the factors that make a region unique including cultural diversity, industry and
agriculture, and land forms
3.2.2.c: Give examples of places that are similar and different from a local region
3.2.2.d: Characterize regions using different types of features such as physical, political, cultural, urban
and rural
3.3.1.a: Describe the difference between producers and consumers and explain how they need each
other
3.3.1.b: Describe and give examples of forms of exchange topics to include but not limited to trade
and barter
3.3.1.c: Describe how the exchange of goods and services between businesses and consumers affects
all parties
3.3.1.e: Give examples of how trade benefits individuals and communities and increases interdependency
3.3.2.b: Recognize that there are costs and benefits associated with borrowing to meet a short- term
financial goal
3.4.2.a: Identify the origins, structure, and functions of local government
3.4.2.c: Identify and explain a variety of roles leaders, citizens, and others play in local government
5.1.1.a: Identify different ways of dating historical sources to understand historical context
Common Core Standards
RL3.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text
as the basis for the answers.
RL3.2 Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the
central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.
RI3.2 Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main
idea.
SL3.2 Determine the main idea and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in
diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
RL3.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text
relevant to a grade 3 topic or subject area.
SL3.3 Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and
detail.
RF3.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
b. Decode words with common Latin suffixes.
L3.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and
spelling when writing.
W3.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
a. Introduce a topic and group related information together; include illustrations when useful to
aiding comprehension.
b. Develop the topic with facts, definitions, and details
c. Use linking words and phrases (e.g. also, another, and, more, but) to connect ideas within
categories of information.
d. Provide a concluding statement or section.
W3.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and
shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes,
and audiences.
Core Knowledge Unit:
A. Geography of the Mediterranean Region
Mediterranean Sea, Aegean Sea, Adriatic Sea
Greece, Italy (peninsula), France, Spain
Strait of Gibraltar, Atlantic Ocean
North Africa, Asia Minor (peninsula), Turkey
Bosporus (strait), Black Sea, Istanbul (Constantinople)
Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean
B. Background
Define B.C. / A.D. and B.C.E. / C.E.
The legend of Romulus and Remus
Latin as the language of Rome
Worship of gods and goddesses, largely based on Greek religion
The Republic: Senate, Patricians, Plebeians
Punic Wars: Carthage, Hannibal
C. The Empire
Julius Caesar
Defeats Pompey in civil war, becomes dictator
“Veni, vidi, vici” (“I came, I saw, I conquered”)
Cleopatra of Egypt
Caesar assassinated in the Senate, Brutus
Augustus Caesar
Life in the Roman Empire
The Forum: temples, marketplaces, etc.
The Colosseum: circuses, gladiator combat, chariot races
Roads, bridges, and aqueducts
Eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, destruction of Pompeii
Persecution of Christians
D. The “Decline and Fall” of Rome
Weak and corrupt emperors, legend of Nero fiddling as Rome burns
Civil wars
City of Rome sacked
Social and moral decay
E. The Eastern Roman Empire: Byzantine Civilization
The rise of the Eastern Roman Empire, known as the Byzantine Empire
Constantine, emperor who made Christianity the official religion of Rome
Constantinople (now called Istanbul) merges diverse influences and cultures.
Justinian, Justinian’s Code
Core Knowledge Language Arts
A. Reading Comprehension and Response
a. Independently read and comprehend nonfiction and fiction.
b. Orally summarize main points from nonfiction and nonfiction readings.
c. Ask and pose plausible answers to how, why, and what-if questions in interpreting texts, both
fiction and nonfiction.
d. Use a dictionary to answer questions regarding meaning and usage of words with which he or
she is unfamiliar.
B. Writing
a. Produce a variety of types of writing
b. Organize material in paragraphs and understand how to use a topic sentence how to develop a
paragraph with examples and details that each new paragraph is indented
c. In some writings, proceed with guidance through a process of gathering information, organizing
thoughts, composing a draft, revising to clarify and refine his or her meaning, and proofreading
with attention to spelling, mechanics, and presentation of a final draft.
C. Spelling, Grammar, and Usage
a. Spell most words correctly or with a highly probable spelling, and use a dictionary to check and
correct
b. spellings about which he or she is uncertain.
D. Use capital letters correctly.
a. Know how to use the following punctuation: end punctuation: period, question mark, or
exclamation point
b. apostrophe: in contractions; in singular possessive nouns
E.Recognize and avoid the double negative.
Previous Unit: Geographical Terms and Spatial Sense
Prior Knowledge
Grade 2
 Mediterranean Sea, Aegean sea
 Worship of Greek deities
Next Unit: Rivers of the World
What Students will Learn in Future Grades
Grade 6
• The Roman Republic
• The Punic Wars; Rome vs. Carthage
• Julius Caesar
• Augustus Caesar
• Christianity under the Roman Empire
• The “decline and fall” of the Roman Empire
Cross Curricular Links
Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece & Rome
 Jason and the Golden Fleece
 Perseus and Medusa
 Cupid and Psyche
 The Sword of Damocles
 Damon and Pythias
 Androcles and the Lion
 Horatius at the Bridge
 Romulus and Remus
Sayings
 When in Rome do as the Romans do
 Rome wasn’t built in a day
 Last straw
Math
 Roman Numerals
Latin
 Minimus text
Additional Resources
For Teachers:
 The Roman Republic by Don Nardo
 The Roman Empire by Don Nardo
 The Punic Wars by Don Nardo
 Julius Caesar by Don Nardo
 The Core Knowledge Teacher Handbook
 From Pliny the Younger’s Letters to Tacitus – Core Knowledge Resources
 Pompeii: Inside the Blast – Core Knowledge Resources
 Various myths from the Core Knowledge Resources
 Classic Myths to Read Aloud by William F. Russell
 The Book of Virtues by William Bennett
For Children:
 What Your Third Grader Needs to Know edited by E.D.Hirsch
 Pearson History & Geography edited by E.D.Hirsch
 Technology of Ancient Rome by Daniel C. Gedacht
 Home Life in Ancient Rome by Daniel C. Gedacht
 Economy and Industry in Ancient Rome by Daniel C. Gedacht
 Land and Resources of Ancient Rome by Daniel C. Gedacht
 Art and Religion in Ancient Rome by Daniel C. Gedacht
 Politics and Government in Ancient Rome by Daniel C. Gedacht