|
Teacher Page
The purpose of this Web Quest is to help students gain a better understanding of the evolution of government in the Roman Empire. Students will go through two steps to obtain knowledge about Roman government; then demonstrate their understanding in the following two steps. On this page I will go through each step, and explain how you can be of assistance to them in their quest.
Step #1- Ask the students to record the information that they find. They can do this in several ways; but it is important that they remember what they’ve read in this step. Give the students an entire day to work on this step. Have them discuss the information that they’ve found in groups; then as a class. Investigate each question, and have them demonstrate their understanding before they move on to the next step.
Transition- Use a day to study Julius Caesar, and what he did for Ancient Rome. Talk about how government can change when power changes. Explain to them that the power is in who the people are willing to support.
Step #2- Have the students study some of the different emperors (caesars) in the Roman Empire. Look at what each caesar did, and how they helped build Rome. Have the students focus on who were the best, and worst emperors in Rome’s history, and why.
Transition- Allow the students to share what they have found in this step. Have them tell the class any interesting stories that they read while researching this step. Finally discuss the positives, and negatives in having one person rule an empire the size of Rome.
Step #3- Have the students write position papers, to explain why Rome should be ruled by a Republic, or an emperor. Use these papers to investigate each student’s understanding about both systems of government.
Step #4- Hold a class forum to discuss what Rome should do about their government’s struggles. Use this as an opportunity to again check for student understanding. The forum is also an opportunity to transition to the topic of “The fall of the Roman Empire”. Have the students investigate how Rome was ruled at it’s decline, and finally it’s division.
|
