Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. To understand the transition of Rome from a small farming settlement to a significant global empire: Students will explore how Rome expanded from an agricultural settlement into a vast empire, absorbing many cultures and influencing the entire Mediterranean region.

2. To examine the major contributions of Ancient Rome to law, politics, and the arts: The students will learn about the significant Roman contributions, including the formation of a democratic government system, the establishment of legal principles still used today, and the development of various art forms.

3. To learn about the daily life, culture, and social structure of Ancient Rome: This includes understanding the societal hierarchies, the role of slavery, the importance of the family unit, and the cultural practices such as religion, entertainment, and education.

Secondary Objectives:

1. To develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills: By engaging in hands-on activities and discussions, students will be encouraged to think critically about the impact of Ancient Rome on today's world.

2. To enhance collaborative learning: Through group activities and projects, students will improve their collaboration and communication skills.

3. To foster a deeper appreciation for history: By studying Ancient Rome, students will gain a better understanding of the importance of history and its influence on the present and future.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

1. The teacher begins by refreshing the students' memory on previously covered topics that link to Ancient Rome, such as Ancient Greece, early civilizations, and the concept of democracy. The teacher asks the students to recall the significant aspects of these topics and how they relate to the upcoming lesson on Ancient Rome. (3 - 4 minutes)

2. The teacher then poses two problem situations:

   • First, the teacher asks the students to imagine how a small farming community might grow into a vast empire. What factors might contribute to such growth, and what challenges might it face? The teacher encourages the students to brainstorm and share their ideas. (3 - 4 minutes)

   • Secondly, the teacher invites the students to think about the impact of Ancient Rome on our modern society. They ask, "If Rome had not developed its system of laws or its political structures, how different do you think our world would be today?" The students are prompted to consider aspects such as government, law, art, and culture. (3 - 4 minutes)

3. To contextualize the importance of Ancient Rome, the teacher discusses some real-world applications. They might mention the influence of Roman law on today's legal systems, the concept of democracy, architectural techniques, and contributions to art and literature. The teacher emphasizes that understanding Ancient Rome can help us understand the foundations of many modern societies. (2 - 3 minutes)

4. The teacher introduces the topic of Ancient Rome by sharing a few intriguing facts or stories:

   • The teacher tells the story of Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome, explaining how the city got its name.

   • The teacher shares the fact that the Romans constructed roads and walls – things we now take for granted. They reveal that the first-ever shopping mall where shoppers could buy a variety of goods was built in Rome.

   • The teacher mentions that Ancient Rome was a cosmopolitan city, a melting pot of cultures, as it had absorbed the traditions, art, and knowledge of the societies it conquered.

   • The teacher shows a few images of Roman artifacts, architecture, and art, creating curiosity and setting the stage for the lesson ahead. (2 - 3 minutes)

This introductory stage aims to stimulate students' interest in the topic, evoke their prior knowledge, and create a context for the upcoming lesson.

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Activity 1: Building a Roman Empire - Mapping & Strategy Game (10 - 12 minutes)

   • The teacher provides each group with a blank map of the Mediterranean region during the period of Ancient Rome and colored markers.

   • The teacher explains that the students should assume the role of Roman Senate strategists and attempt to expand their small farming community into a vast empire. This involves deciding in which order to conquer neighboring territories and defending conquered territories from invaders.

   • Students need to strategize carefully since expansion might involve forming alliances, managing resources, and dealing with potential rebellions in different territories. They also consider geographical advantages or disadvantages, such as mountains, rivers, or the proximity of hostile tribes.

   • The teacher should move around the room, guiding the students by asking them to justify their strategic decisions, encouraging thought into aspects like resources, defense, culture and local populations.

   • This simulation game will help the students understand the strategic maneuvering of the Roman Empire, appreciate the complexity of administration and the immense geographical spread of the empire.

2. Activity 2: "Roman Law and Today" Comparative Research Activity (10 - 12 minutes)

   • The teacher assigns each group a category of Roman law, such as criminal law, family law, military law, or property law. The students are to research the ancient Roman law, then identify and document its key elements.

   • The teacher then instructs the students to research the equivalent area of modern law and draw connections between the Roman law and its influence on current legal practices.

   • To ensure that the activity remains hands-on, the teacher can provide them with law documents or easy summaries of law cases to identify the application of the principles they have researched.

   • Finally, each group shares their findings with the class. In the sharing session, the students can learn from each other regarding different aspects of the law.

   • This activity encourages students to comprehend the significant contributions of Roman law to the modern legal system and improve their research and comparison skills.

3. Activity 3: "Life in Rome" Role-Play (Optional) (10 - 15 minutes)

   • Given the time constraints, the teacher can conduct this activity if time permits or extend it into the next class as a starting activity.

   • The teacher assigns each group a specific range of roles from Roman society, such as senators, soldiers, slaves, artists, farmers, gladiators, and merchants.

   • The students then have to depict a day or a situation in the life of their assigned role, showing aspects like profession, social status, lifestyle, and any challenges faced. This portrait should capture the cultural, social, economic, and political life of Ancient Rome.

   • This improvised role-play activity immerses students in the lived reality of various sections of Roman society, affording them a more profound understanding of Roman life and culture.

The hands-on activities in the development stage allow the students to deepen their answers to the teacher's initial problem situations, giving them a hands-on perspective on Roman strategy, contribution to modern law, and diversity of life in Ancient Rome. The teacher must ensure continuous dialog in each activity to maximize learning.

Feedback (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Group Discussions (3 - 5 minutes)

   • The teacher brings all students together after the activity stages to share their group's findings and conclusions. Each group briefly presents the results of their activities, including the strategies they used in the "Building a Roman Empire" game, the parallels they found in the "Roman Law and Today" activity, and the insights gleaned from the "Life in Rome" role-play.

   • The teacher encourages other students to comment, ask questions, and share their thoughts on the presentations, promoting a lively group discussion. This process helps students learn from each other and gain a broader perspective on the topic.

2. Synthesis and Connection to Theory (3 - 4 minutes)

   • After the group discussions, the teacher consolidates the learning outcomes of the activities. They highlight the significant aspects of Roman strategy, law, and daily life that were explored in the hands-on activities and link them back to the theoretical knowledge about Ancient Rome.

   • The teacher emphasizes the importance of the strategic expansion of Rome, the influence of Roman law on modern law, and the cultural diversity in Roman society. They ensure that students understand how these aspects contributed to Rome's growth from a small farming community to a vast empire.

   • The teacher also discusses how these elements of Ancient Rome continue to impact our world today, reinforcing the practical relevance of historical knowledge.

3. Reflection & Unanswered Questions (4 - 5 minutes)

   • The teacher proposes a moment of individual reflection, inviting the students to think about what they have learned. The teacher asks the students to ponder the following questions:

     1. What was the most important concept you learned today about Ancient Rome?
     2. Which aspects of Ancient Rome do you find most fascinating or surprising?
     3. How does the knowledge of Ancient Rome influence your understanding of the world today?

   • After giving the students a few minutes to think, the teacher encourages them to share their reflections. This process helps reinforce the key learning points and engages the students in deeper thinking about the topic.

   • The teacher also asks the students if they have any unanswered questions about Ancient Rome. They note down these questions for exploration in upcoming lessons or for the students to research independently.

The feedback stage is crucial for reinforcing the knowledge gained during the lesson, promoting critical thinking, and fostering a deeper understanding of the topic. The teacher's role here is to facilitate discussion, summarize and connect the findings, and encourage reflection and curiosity among the students.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Summarizing and Recapping the Lesson (1 - 2 minutes)

   • The teacher recaps the main concepts and findings from the lesson on Ancient Rome. They remind the students about Rome's growth from a small farming community to a vast empire, the significant Roman contributions to law, politics, and the arts, and the diverse aspects of daily life in Ancient Rome.

   • The teacher also highlights the critical thinking and collaborative learning skills that the students practiced during the lesson's hands-on activities.

2. Connecting Theory, Practice, and Applications (2 - 3 minutes)

   • The teacher discusses how the lesson integrated theoretical knowledge about Ancient Rome with hands-on activities, such as the strategy game, comparative research activity, and role-play. They emphasize how these activities helped the students to better understand and appreciate the complexities and contributions of Ancient Rome.

   • The teacher explains how the lesson linked the historical knowledge about Ancient Rome to real-world applications, such as the influence of Roman law on modern legal systems and the impact of Roman culture on modern society. They stress the importance of understanding history to make sense of the present and future.

3. Additional Learning Materials (1 - 2 minutes)

   • The teacher recommends additional resources for the students to further explore the topic of Ancient Rome. These might include books, documentaries, websites, and museum exhibits about Ancient Rome.

   • The teacher suggests that the students visit a local museum that has a collection of Roman artifacts or encourages them to watch a documentary about Ancient Rome to gain a more vivid and comprehensive understanding of the topic.

4. Relevance of Ancient Rome (1 - 2 minutes)

   • Finally, the teacher underlines the significance of Ancient Rome in our everyday life. They point out that many modern concepts and practices, such as democratic government, legal principles, and various forms of art, have their roots in Ancient Rome.

   • The teacher emphasizes that by understanding Ancient Rome, the students can gain a deeper appreciation for these aspects of our modern society. They also highlight how studying Ancient Rome can provide valuable insights into the dynamics of power, culture, and civilization, which remain relevant in today's world.

The conclusion stage helps to consolidate the learning from the lesson, connect the theory with practice, and emphasize the ongoing relevance and applications of the topic. The teacher's role here is to wrap up the lesson in a comprehensive and engaging manner, encouraging the students to continue exploring the fascinating world of Ancient Rome.